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. 2016 Nov 15:11:32488.
doi: 10.3402/qhw.v11.32488. eCollection 2016.

Returning to work: The cancer survivor's transformational journey of adjustment and coping

Antoni Barnard  1 , Loraine Clur  2 , Yvonne Joubert  3
Affiliations

Returning to work: The cancer survivor's transformational journey of adjustment and coping

Antoni Barnard et al. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. .

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore cancer survivors' return to work (RTW) experience with a specific focus on the adjustment and coping process underlying their journey. The study was conducted in the Southern Cape, South Africa, with eight cancer survivors having returned to work following successful treatment of various types of cancer. Unstructured interviews were conducted and data were analysed following the principles of hermeneutic phenomenological reflection and analysis. Four themes emerged, representing the changing adjustment responses and coping during the RTW journey. Participants evolve from being overwhelmed with emotions and applying avoidant coping to seeking understanding and positive affectivity in their attempt to comprehend the reality of their situation. Participants' external locus of control change to a more active approach and problem-solving orientation, demonstrating a need to take control and responsibility. Ultimately, adjustment and coping become most constructive when cancer survivors resolve to re-assess life and self through meaning-making, resulting in renewed appreciation of life, appropriate life style changes, and regained confidence in their relational role. A process perspective is proposed to facilitate an understanding of, and working with, cancer survivors' transition through the RTW journey towards optimal coping phases.

Keywords: Cancer survivor; adjustment; avoidant coping; emotion-focussed coping; meaning-making; problem-focussed coping; return to work; well-being.

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Conflict of interest statement

and funding The authors have not received any funding or benefits from any private or public agency or business or elsewhere to conduct this study and declare that there are no conflicts of interest in having conducted this study.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Coping with RTW: transformational adjustment through four phases.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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