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Clarifying “meaning” in the context of cancer research: A systematic literature review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 May 2005

VIRGINIA LEE ,
S. ROBIN COHEN ,
LINDA EDGAR ,
ANDREA M. LAIZNER  and
ANITA J. GAGNON
VIRGINIA LEE
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
S. ROBIN COHEN
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Lady Davis Institute, Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
LINDA EDGAR
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Department of Epidemiology, and Hope and Cope, Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital
ANDREA M. LAIZNER
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
ANITA J. GAGNON
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Abstract

Objectives: This article synthesizes the published literature related to the construct of meaning in the adult cancer population.

Methods: The databases CancerLit, CINAHL, Medline, PsychINFO, and the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology and PsychoOncology were searched to identify all studies related to meaning. The methodological aspects of all studies are described and the conceptual aspects are summarized only from those studies that met criteria for methodological rigor and validity of findings. The definitions for global meaning, appraised meaning, search for meaning, and meaning as outcome as proposed by Park and Folkman were used to interpret the findings.

Results: Of 44 studies identified, 26 met the criteria for methodological rigor. There is strong empirical and qualitative evidence of a relationship between meaning as an outcome of and psychosocial adjustment to cancer.

Significance of results: The qualitative findings are considered useful for the development of psychosocial interventions aimed at helping cancer patients cope with and even derive positive benefit from their experience. However, variations in the conceptual and operational definitions, frequent reliance on homogeneous and convenience sampling, and the lack of experimental designs are considered to be methodological limitations that need to be addressed to advance the study of meaning in the context of cancer.

Keywords

MeaningCancerSystematic literature reviewResearch
Type
Research Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 2 , Issue 3 , September 2004 , pp. 291 - 303
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

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