Journal article
Symptom representations in people with multimorbidity undergoing treatment for cancer: a qualitative descriptive study
Supportive care in cancer, Vol.33(2), 121
02/01/2025
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-025-09164-8
PMID: 39856478
Abstract
Purpose
The symptom representations (i.e., beliefs and attitudes) that people with cancer hold about their symptom experience can impact how they self-manage their symptoms. Having two or more chronic conditions (multimorbidity) can complicate illness representations. Little is known about symptom representations in people with cancer and multimorbidity.
Methods
This qualitative descriptive study was conducted with a sample of adults with a diagnosis of cancer and at least one additional chronic condition. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand their symptom representations. Leventhal’s Common-Sense Model of Illness Representations (i.e.,
identity
,
consequences, cure/control
,
timeline
, and
cause
) provided the guiding framework. A qualitative thematic analysis was used to identify codes, themes, and subthemes.
Results
The mean age of the participants (
n
= 17) was 62.1 years and primary cancer sites were gastrointestinal, thoracic, or head/neck. Five themes were identified: (1) perceiving and living with symptoms, (2) being unable to do things, (3) self-management behaviors, (4) domino theory, and (5) a side effect of conditions. These themes aligned with Leventhal’s Common-Sense Model dimensions. The interaction among diagnoses and multimorbidity was identified by a minority of participants.
Conclusion
People with cancer and multimorbidity described symptom representations primarily in the context of cancer. Consistent with previous research, symptoms negatively impacted their lives, and their representations include an understanding of how symptoms interact. Few participants described their symptoms within the larger context of multimorbidity. Future research is needed to determine how symptom representations impact their communication patterns with providers and coping behaviors.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Symptom representations in people with multimorbidity undergoing treatment for cancer: a qualitative descriptive study
- Creators
- Sugandha Aggarwal - University of IowaNayung Youn - University of IowaAlaa Albashayreh - University of IowaStephanie Gilbertson-White - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Supportive care in cancer, Vol.33(2), 121
- Publisher
- Springer Berlin Heidelberg
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00520-025-09164-8
- PMID
- 39856478
- ISSN
- 0941-4355
- eISSN
- 1433-7339
- Grant note
- P20 1P20NR018081 / College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Center for Advancing Multimorbidity Science (CAMS) NINR (National Institute for Nursing Research) UL1TR002537 / Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, CTSA University of Iowa The University of Iowa P3 Funded Iowa Health Data Resource (IHDR) P30 P30CA086862 / Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, National Cancer Institute (NCI) Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/01/2025
- Academic Unit
- Nursing; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984775260502771
Metrics
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