Psychological Well Being After Dignity Therapy Among Advanced Stage Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background: Dignity Therapy is a novel psychotherapeutic intervention designed to address psychosocial and existential distress among the advanced stage cancer patients. Cancer diagnosis and treatment can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, and low psychological well-being. Dignity therapy can help mitigate these symptoms, improving the patient's overall mental health and well-being.

Aim: This study aims to determine the effect on psychological wellbeing after dignity therapy among advanced stage cancer patients.

Methodology: A mixed method study was conducted between September 2024- Feburary 2025 among advanced stage cancer patients at oncology unit in Jinnah hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. Quantitative Data were collected through (Ryff psychological wellbeing questionnaire) and data were analyzed using SPSS software. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured (Dignity Therapy Interview Question Protocol.

Results:

A study of 32 patients with advanced-stage cancer found that 6 months of dignity therapy significantly enhanced psychological well-being (p < 0.001). Instances of low psychological well-being decreased dramatically (25% to 6%), while mean ratings increased from 4.62 (±1.75) to 5.12 (±1.48). Legacy, family links, resilience, and purpose were all stressed in patient narratives; 34.6% of respondents said that familial ties were important in defining one's identity. Through personalized storytelling, the intervention linked quantifiable emotional gains to existential meaning.

Conclusion: This study suggest that Dignity therapy is beneficial. Patients with low psychological wellbeing levels can benefit the most from therapy. This reflects that Dignity therapy significantly improve psychological well-being among advanced

stage cancer patients.