Arman [30] | 2001 | Content analysis | To study women’s perceived consequences as well as perceived causes of breast cancer and to explore aspects of importance to the women. | 1. Relationships 2. Self-confidence and experience of strength as a result of disease and treatment 3. Disposition or mood 4. Perspectives on life 5. Perceived causes of breast cancer 6. The women’s opinions on options for wellbeing 7. The role of the disease in their lives 8. Meaningful qualities in present life 9. No changes | Semi-structured interview | 59 BC patients (mean age = 49.0) | Sweden |
Arman [31] | 2002 | Phenomenological methodology | To obtain a deeper and more profound understanding of the life world of women living with breast cancer focusing particularly on changes in life perspective | 1. Dialectics and apparent contradictions 2. Relationships 3. Hardships and obstacles 4. Return to a desire for authenticity 5. The desiring, experiencing and creating person | Semi-structured interview | 4 BC patients (mean age = 48.25) | Sweden |
Arman [32] | 2007 | Content analysis | To examine experiences of life among women with breast cancer and look for a diversity of profiles among women in anthroposophical and conventional care. | 1. Experiences of meaning in daily life 2. Experiences of change in life 3. The lived experiences of being stronger through experiences of life with breast cancer | Semi-structured interview | 74 BC patients (mean age = 48.0) | Sweden |
Bahrami[33] | 2015 | Content analysis | To explaining positive changes after breast cancer by using the qualitative method. | 1. Behavioral changes to maintain and promote the health of self and others 2. Spiritual growth 3. Personal development | In-depth interviews (30–90 min) | 19 BC patients (mean age = 43.57) | Iran |
Barthakur [34] | 2016 | Descriptive phenomenological approach | To understand the phenomenon of posttraumatic growth in women survivors of breast cancer from an Indian perspective. | 1. Cancer: A new lease on life 2. Self: A priority and “stronger mentally” 3. Relationships: Closer, more empathetic, and generous 4. Spirituality | Semi-structured interview (90–120 min) | 15 BC survivors (mean age = 57) | India |
Carpenter [35] | 1999 | Narrative analysis | To (i) describe individual differences in self-transformation among breast cancer survivors (BCS), (ii) examine factors associated with self-transformation in BCS, and (iii) examine the relationship between self-transformation and self-esteem and well-being. | 1. Positive transformation 2. Minimal transformation 3. Feeling ‘stuck’ 4. Self-transformation and demographic, disease, and treatment variables 5. Self-transformation, self-esteem, and well-being | Semi-structured interviews (45–90 min) | 60 BC survivors (mean age = 53.7) | America |
Ching [36] | 2012 | Grounded theory | To explain the meaning-making phenomenon in the psychological adjustment of Chinese women to breast cancer both during treatment and there- after. | 1. Meaning making in the reframing process 2. Context for reframing 3. Sustaining work 4. Integration work | In-depth interviews (30–180 min) | 24 BC patients (20 to 39 years = 5, 40 to 59 years = 15, 60 to 79 years = 4) | China (Hong Kong) |
Coward [37] | 2005 | Phenomenological methodology | To describes the experience of self- transcendence in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer | 1. Self-Transcendence | In-depth interviews | 14 BC survivors | America |
Dunn [38] | 2009 | Thematic analysis | To investigate women’s experiences from the framework of self-transformation and peer support. | 1. Challenge Characteristics 2. Social Context as a Change Setting 3. Assimilating the Experience 4. The Process of Growth 5. Self-Report Measures | In-depth interviews, Questionnaires survey | 21 BC survivors (mean age = 45.1) | Australia, America |
Eide [39] | 2014 | Interpretative phenomenological analysis | To examine the lived experience of a selected group of Native Hawaiian breast cancer survivors, uncover the connections between their narratives and their personal and cultural milieux, and generate knowledge about the Native Hawaiian woman’s breast cancer experience that would be useful in planning future health promotion outreach efforts. | 1. Context of Discovery 2. Context of Transformation: Physical, Emotional and Spiritual 3. Context of Life Realignment: Regaining Pono (Balance) | In-depth interviews (45–60 min) | 20 BC patients (44 to 82 years) | America |
Fallah [40] | 2012 | Interpretative phenomenological analysis | To explore women with breast cancer perceive post-traumatic growth and the recognition of its dimensions in Iran. | 1. Spiritual growth 2. Appreciation of life 3. Increased personal strengths | Open-ended questionnaire survey | 23 BC patients (mean age = 46.22) | Iran |
Fatone [41] | 2007 | Content analysis | To describe the nature and experiential impact of physical symptoms, emotional symptoms, treatment side effects, and menopausal symptoms on African American and Hispanic breast cancer survivors. | 1. Physical Well-being 2. Social/Functional Well-being 3. Psychological Well-being 4. Sexual Well-being 5. Cognitive Well-being 6. Spiritual/Existential Well-being | Semi-structured interview | 20 BC patients (mean age = 54.1) | America |
Fredette [42] | 1995 | Content analysis | To add to the nursing knowledg; base by concentrating on concerns and coping of breast cancer survivors. | 1. Work 2. Spirituality 3. Information-seeking 4. Support groups 5. Reach to Recovery 6. Family and friends 7. Hopeful attitude 8. Solitary coping 9. Impact on the cancer 10. Self perception about survivorship 11. Meaning of having cancer | Semi-structured interview (60–120 min) | 14 BC survivors (mean age = 58.6) | America |
He [43] | 2020 | Phenomenological methodology (Colaizzi analysis) | To explore stigma of breast cancer patients after radical mastectomy so as to provide theoretical and practical basis for taking targeted nursing measures. | 1. Source of stigma 2. The impact of stigma 3. The response of stigma 4. Growth in adversity | Semi-structured interview (40–50 min) | 13 BC patients (mean age = 42.38) | China |
Hefferon [44] | 2010 | Interpretive phenomenological analysis | To broaden the understanding of PTG, including its process and outcomes | 1. Fear of new body 2. Negative effects of chemotherapy on the body 3. Reconnection with body | Open-ended interviews (40–120 min) | 10 BC survivors | Scotland |
Heidarzadeh [23] | 2017 | Phenomenological methodology | To explore different dimensions of PTG in Iranian patients with cancer | 1. Inner peace and other positive personal attributes 2. Finding meaning of life 3. Being a role model 4. Performing health promoting behaviors | Semi-structured interview (45–90 min), questionnaires survey | 12 cancer patients (BC patients = 4) | Iran |
Horgan [45] | 2011 | Grounded theory | To explore when women first notice positive changes; what they consist of; how they emerge from which aspects of the experience of breast cancer; and what social and individual factors are likely to influence their development. | 1. Positive changes 2. How did these changes develop? 3. What influenced the process of change? | semi-structured interview | 20 BC patients (mean age = 53) | Britain |
Kucukkaya [46] | 2010 | Content analysis | To explore the prevalence of positive changes in Turkish women who were diag- nosed with breast cancer, and the possible relationships between these changes and patient variables and the nature and degree of positive life changes reported by these women. | 1. Changes in self- perception 2. Empowerment 3. Greater appreciation of life 4. Changes in interpersonal relations | Open-ended questionnaire survey | 84 BC patients (30 to 39 years = 16, 40 to 49 years = 42, 50 to 60 years = 26) | Turkey |
Lam [47] | 2003 | Phenomenological methodology | To explore illness meanings among Hong Kong Chinese women recovering from breast cancer, was developed to consider differences and similarities with reports on western populations. | 1. Symptom meaning 2. Facing the threat of diagnosis 3. The meaning of breast cancer treatment 4. The meaning of surviving breast cancer | Semi-structured interview (45–60 min) | 17 BC patients (mean age = 45.47) | China (Hong Kong) |
Lelorain [48] | 2011 | Thematic Analysis | To explore the emergence of PTG in BC survivor narratives concerning the changes caused by the cancer in their lives. | 1. PTG 2. Disease and treatment 3. People around: support and stress 4. Disruption and continuity | Open interview (18–178 min) | 28 BC survivors (< 60 years = 13, 60 to 70 years = 13, > 70 years = 2 | France |
Leung [49] | 2010 | Constructivist qualitative approach | To discusses how knowledge of the spirituality of Chinese women and Eastern spiritual resources can inform culturally competent social work practice in working with people who suffer from serious illness or loss. | 1. Experiencing Spiritual Shock 2. Meaning Making 3. Achieving connectedness 4. Attaining transcendence | In-depth interviews | 26 BC patients (mean age = 49.7) | China (Hong Kong) |
Li [50] | 2012 | Phenomenology methodology (Colaizzi analysis) | To understand the experience of post traumatic growth of breast cancer patients during chemotherapy period after operation. | 1. Both of negative mental problems and fight for negative events 2. During the course of fighting with disease, the patients developed their confidence 3. Began to rethink life and health 4. Plan the future and cope positively | In-depth interviews (60 min) | 10 BC Patients (mean age = 44.3) | China |
Loeffler [51] | 2018 | | To investigate the personal meaning systems and post-traumatic growth in patients with breast cancer and its relation to distress and adaption. | 1. Personal meaning systems 2. Meaning in life and well-being 3. Growth and well-being | Semi-structured interviews (45 min), Writing, Questionnaires survey | 65 BC patients (mean age = 60.5) | Germany |
Luoma [52] | 2004 | Phenomenological methodology | To examine the meaning of QoL dimensions for advanced breast cancer patients. | 1. the patients’ ability to control the illness experience, 2. personal growth 3. hope | Semi-structured interview (40–90 min) | 25 BC patients | Finland |
Mackenzie [53] | 2007 | Grounded theory | To understand how meditation practice influences patients’ lives and mediates their ability to manage their illness. | 1. Opening to change 2. Self-control 3. Shared experience 4. Personal growth 5. Spirituality | Semi-structured interview (120 min) | 9 cancer patients (BC patients = 4) | Canada |
Manuel [54] | 2007 | | To explore younger women’s perceptions of coping with breast cancer | 1. Seek and Use Social Support 2. Keep Feelings to Self 3. Positive Cognitive Restructuring 4. Spirituality 5. Wishful Thinking 6. Detachment 7. Made Changes | Open-ended questionnaire survey | 201 BC survivors (mean age = 43.4) | America |
Martino [55] | 2016 | Redemptive sequences analysis | To explore and analyze the narrative markers and the quality and the function of the transformation process that the narrative markers have generated, underlying the post-traumatic growth, within narratives of cancer survivors with different levels of PTG. | 1. Sacrifices 2. Recovery 3. Growth 4. Learning 5. Improvement/others | PTGI Life Story Interview (60min) | 12 cancer survivors (BC survivors = 8) | Italy |
McDonough [56] | 2011 | Interpretative phenomenological analysis | To explore the development of social relationships, social support, and posttraumatic growth among breast cancer survivors participating in a dragon boat program over 19 months. | 1. Developing a feisty spirit of survivorship 2. I don’t want it to be just about me 3. It’s not about the pink it’s about the paddling 4. Hard to get close | Semi-structured interview (30–90 min) | 17 BC survivors (mean age = 51.24) | Canada |
Mehrabi [57] | 2015 | Qualitative phenomenological approach | To investigate experiences relating to PTG of Iranian women | 1. Appreciate of life 2. Stability 3. Spiritual prosperity 4. Effective interaction | Semi-structured interviews In-depth interviews (40–65 min) | 18 BC patients (age = 31–65) | Iran |
Milne [58] | 2007 | Content analysis | To examine breast cancer survivors’ perceptions of exercise and their quality of life. | 1. Exercise behaviour 2. Lifestyle 3. Limitations and barriers 4. Growth and priorities 5. Personal beliefs and values | Open-ended questionnaire survey | 289 BC survivors (mean age = 59.5) | Australia |
Morris [59] | 2011 | Thematic analysis | To understand the lived experience of BC survivors participating in a peer-support programme based on a challenge event. | 1. BC experience and pre-ride survivor identity 2. Shift in survivor identity 3. Post-traumatic growth 4. Repeat riders experience of AHT | In-depth telephone interviews | 27 BC Survivors (Australia = 16, America = 11) (mean age = 49.92) | Australia, America |
O’Connor [60] | 1990 | Content analysis | To describe what is involved in the process of the personal search for meaning conducted by the patient who has been recently diagnosed with breast, lung, or colorectal cancer. | 1. Seeking an understanding of the personal significance of the cancer diagnosis 2. Looking at the consequences of the cancer diagnosis 3. Review of life 4. Change in outlook toward self, life, others 5. Living with the cancer 6. Hope | Semi-structured interview | 30 cancer survivors (BC survivors = 18) | America |
Raque-Bogdan [61] | 2018 | Consensual qualitative research | To obtain a deeper understanding of how breast cancer affects the lives of women diagnosed before the age of 40. | 1. Impact of breast cancer 2. Lessons learned from breast cancer 3. Thoughts about the future | Semi-structured interview (60–90 min) | 13 BC survivors (mean age = 34) | America |
Rashidi [62] | 2020 | Thematic techniques | To explored survivors’ experiences, meaning making, and identity transformation. | 1. Diseased Self 2. Coping Self 3. Transformed Self | Semi-structured interviews (28–58 min) | 11 BC survivors (mean age = 53) | Australia |
Sabiston [63] | 2007 | Grounded theory | To explored psychosocial experiences of breast cancer survivors involved in dragon boat programs | 1. Experiences of Cancer 2. Persistent Stressors and Challenges 3. Coping with Stress 4. Social Support 5. Changes in Physical Self-Perceptions 6. Personal Control 7. Positive Psychological Growth | semi-structured interview (45–60 min) | 20 BC survivors (mean age = 58.69) | Canada |
Sadler-Gerhardt [64] | 2010 | Phenomenological paradigm | To help expand knowledge of survivor needs and inform sound counseling treatment interventions. | 1. Negative changes 2. Chronic illness changes 3. Posttraumatic growth | Semi-structured interview (60–90 min) | 8 BC survivors (age = 30–80) | America |
Şengün [65] | 2020 | Descriptive phenomenological approach | To explore the nature of post-traumatic growth (PTG) in Turkish breast cancer survivors in the post-treatment first two years. | 1. Making sense of the cancer 2. Positive restoring | Semi-structured interviews (30–47 min) | 13 BC survivors (mean age = 48.76) | Turkey |
Shen [66] | 2016 | Phenomenology methodology (Colaizzi analysis) | To understand the benefit experience of convalescent breast cancer patients and provide new guidance for the psychological nursing of breast cancer patients. | 1. Improvement in health-related behaviors 2. Spiritual development 3. Improved relationships 4. Plan the future positively | Semi-structured interview (30–45 min) | 14 BC patients (mean age = 43.35) | China |
Taleghani [67] | 2005 | Content analysis | To exploring how Iranian women coped with newly diagnosed breast cancer and provides a foundation for cultural-based care. | 1. Facing the disease using a religious approach 2. Thinking about the disease 3. Disease acceptance 4. Social and cultural factors affecting coping 5. Support from significant others. | In-depth interviews (45–120 min) | 19 BC patients (mean age = 43.79) | Iran |
Tang [68] | 2019 | Phenomenological methodology (Colaizzi analysis) | To explore the real experience of post-traumatic growth of young breast cancer patients and provide a new perspective for clinical psychological nursing interventions. | 1. Self-transformation 2. Germination of thinking change 3. Improve relationships with others 4. Change the direction of life | In-depth interviews | 12 BC patients (mean age = 38.8) | China |
Tsuchiya [69] | 2013 | Thematic analysis | To describe positive changes following BC diagnosis, together with factors affecting the changes, among Japanese BC survivors. | 1. Attitudinal changes towards life 2. Strengthening trust in families and friends 3. Increased appreciation of life 4. Self-development 5. Future perspectives 6. Education for friends 7. Efforts towards bodily change | Semi-structured interview (120 min) | 10 BC survivors (mean age = 53.3) | Japan |
Zhai [70] | 2020 | Grounded theory | to construct a model (theory) using a grounded theory approach to understand Chinese women’s adjustment process in living with breast cancer. | 1. Confronting challenges 2. Orienting to reality 3. Accommodating the illness 4. Transforming their lives | Semi-structured interview (40–50 min) | 24 BC patients (21 to 30 years = 1, 31 to 40 years = 2, 41 to 50 years = 5, 51 to 60 years = 12, 61 to 70 years = 4) | China |
Zhai [71] | 2021 | Grounded theory | To explore Chinese women’s PTG experiences in adjustment with breast cancer and find out if there are some unique manifestations of PTG, from an Eastern cultural background. | 1. Renewing self-perception 2. Encountering changes in relationships 3. Altering philosophical values and beliefs | In-depth interviews (30–90 min) | 24 BC patients (26 to 66 years) | China |
Zuardin [72] | 2019 | Descriptive-explorative design | To investigate and to understand how different coping strategy can affect the level of post-traumatic growth of housewives with cancer. | | Semi-structured interview | 8 BC patients (mean age = 35.13) | Indonesian |