Researchers in Australia are conducting a world-first study to further
our understanding of how spiritual wellbeing affects quality of life for those
affected by cancer.
Researchers in Australia are
conducting a world-first study to further our understanding of how spiritual
wellbeing affects quality of life for those affected by cancer.
The 20/20 Vision for Cancer
Project, being conducted for Cancer Council Australia (CCA), will seek to
measure the importance of feelings such as hope, love, peace, and forgiveness
and their impact on patients’ emotional and physical wellbeing – such as energy
levels and pain – at different stages of the cancer journey.
CCA researcher Dr Hayley
Whitford, based at the University of Adelaide’s School of Psychology, and CCA
CEO Professor Ian Olver will analyze the information provided to determine
which aspects of spiritual wellbeing, including the less acknowledged aspects
such as appreciation and connectedness, are the most important in improving
cancer patients’ resilience and quality of life.
“This study builds on a decade of
research on hope and spiritual wellbeing and is the first of its kind to
attempt to psychometrically assess the underlying aspects of spiritual
wellbeing such as love, peace, meaning and faith, and how they each affect
people’s resilience against depression, anxiety and stress,” said Olver.
“It’s also unique because it aims
to compare the experiences of people at different stages of the cancer journey
and which aspects of wellbeing are the most important at which stage. This will
help us better support the emotional needs of cancer patients and their
families in the areas they need it most, when they need it most.”
Cancer patients, survivors,
friends, family members, professional and informal carers and even those who
have never been affected by cancer are sought to take part in an online questionnaire,
which requires one to complete a series of questions now and again in six
months.
Source: University of Adelaide.
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