The Psychological Experience of Volunteer Peer Supporters Who are Cancer Survivors
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Abstract
Objective: This research aimed to study the psychological experiences of volunteer peer supporters who are cancer survivors.
Methods: Participants were 7 subjects who had completed cancer treatment of at least 1 year and had been volunteering as peer support for cancer patients. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews from November 2019 – July 2020. The interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) method was employed in this research.
Results: Data analysis resulted in 3 main themes: (1) Cancer experiences lead participants to volunteer as a peer supporter for their understanding of thoughts and feelings of cancer patients, their knowledge for self-care, and philosophical understanding of the world and life; (2) The starting point for joining the cancer patient club included seeking information and receiving information from others; and (3) Factors that motivate peer supporters to continue volunteering included activities that benefit society, positive changes in oneself, and the readiness to support cancer patients.
Conclusion: The psychological experience of cancer survivors is an experience of deep understanding of cancer patients. Being a peer supporter positively affects the volunteer by enhancing self-esteem and generating more positive feelings.
Article Details
บทความหลังผ่านการปรับแก้จากกองบรรณาธิการแล้ว เป็นลิขสิทธ์ของวารสารจิตเวชวิทยาสาร โรงพยาบาลสวนปรุง กรมสุขภาพจิต กระทรวงสาธารณสุข ห้ามเผยแพร่เพื่อประโยชน์ทางการค้าโดยไม่ได้รับอนุญาต แต่อนุญาตให้เผยแพร่บทความดังกล่าวเพื่อประโยชน์ทางการศึกษาแก่ประชาชนทั่วไป ทั้งนี้กองบรรณาธิการไม่จำเป็นต้องเห็นด้วยกับบทความหรือข้อคิดเห็นใดๆ ที่ปรากฏในวารสารสวนปรุง
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