Conference Agenda

Background, objectives: Our exploratory research examines posttraumatic growth (PTG) in the clinical population of oncology. The question is what PTG dimensions appear, what factors help patients move towards a PTG-path, and what resources are attributed to the positive changes.

Methodology: The research involved 70 cancer-patients. Data-collection’s been going on for a year at clinics and on the internet. We use qualitative and quantitative tools.

Results and conclusions: The results show 85% of the patients experienced PTG. The strongest increase was on the ‘self-efficacy’ subscale. We could detect no significant differences between the groups in terms of gender, social support, presence/absence of symptoms, time since diagnosis. We mainly see the explanation in the fact that confronting the fragility of life may be enough to experience PTG. We explored a new factor of PTG: becoming a better person. The aspects mentioned are increased joy, helpfulness, trust, a deeper ability to express and experience love, awareness, etc. The positive change was attributed to being able to maintain activity, have someone to share feelings with, collect adequate information, and to use the experience of successfully processed traumas as a resource. The implications of the research may contribute to the psychological care of cancer patients.

The 'positive health' concept has gained recognition in the Netherlands* primary care and is spreading to other health-/social care areas. The spider web provides a method for self-assessment of subjective health, encouraging patients to reflect on themselves and serving as a basis for a dialogue beyond routine care. Many patients appreiate it, and many professionals feel relieved and supported when persorming their primary tasks as helpers. The 'positive health' tools seem suitable for strenghening a paradigm shift, drawing on existing resources and sustainable effectiveness: a promising apporach for applying the salutogenesis model.

However, there is a lack of information about the concrete interactions in the #alternative dialogue'. Therefore, we initiated a pilot project for the real-life analysis of positive health discussions based on assuming, that the corresponding research results can promote the implementation of 'positive health' and support the further development of target group-specific training. We started in the context of an existing working group on the initial medical history in general practice. The presentation will outline the process structure for the initial medical history, show why this could be followed by a positive health conversation, and illustrate this with a case study based on the analysis of videotaped conversations.

Background: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) significantly impacts patients' quality of life including their intimate relationships, yet little is known about how couples navigate their shared lived space and relationship dynamics in the context of this illness.

Objectives: This ongoing research aims to explore the relational processes that help or hinder IBD patients and their partners' well-being in their shared lived space.

Methods: The study employs qualitative methodology using experience mapping through semi-structured interviews with 14 couples. Data analysis follows Grounded Theory to explore couples' lived experiences with IBD.

Preliminary Results: Analysis reveals an emerging narrative of relationship adaptation through the regulation of proximity-distance influenced by IBD symptoms. This story unfolds across four dimensions: temporal (shared history with illness), spatial (illness defining relationship boundaries), emotional (illness as a shared roller coaster), and regulatory (finding balance). Our findings suggest that couples respond to and actively shape their relationship dynamics across these dimensions, continuously forming their patterns of closeness and distance as they transform their experience with chronic illness.

Implications: These findings will contribute to the development of psychological interventions considering both relationship dynamics and socio-physical environment in supporting couples affected by chronic illness, ultimately enhancing their capacity for mutual adaptation and support.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a major chronic disease, disrupts glucose processing due to insulin deficiency (type 1) or insulin resistance (type 2). Effective management requires active patient engagement regardless of type. The illness narratives, stories told by patients about their experiences related to the disease, can help to protect or modify identity. This study examines illness narratives in DM1 and DM2 patients using the McGill Illness Narrative Interview (MINI). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five participants per group (DM1: M_age=24.6, SD_age=2.8; DM2: M_age=64.8, SD_age=3.3). Thematic content analysis was performed by three analysts. Differences were identified in the manifestation of DM and the process of acceptance among DM1 and DM2 patients. However, similar trends were observed in the daily management of DM. Patients' active coping is influenced by their social networks. Interactions with individuals living with the disease and trusted professional guidelines have been identified as key factors in ensuring appropriate self-management. Furthermore, the increased knowledge about diabetes among the general population enhances patients' feelings of safety, support and understanding. A key finding was that all patients think that DM is a condition that can be live with, and it allows a good quality of life with sufficient motivation and active self-management.