A positividade como caminho para desenvolver a resiliência em adolescentes com câncer

Abstract

This study is inserted in the theoretical field of positive psychology and investigates the relationship between two constructs: positivity (positive emotions) and resilience from the perspective of adolescents with cancer. Objectives: Identify the frequency of participants' positive and negative emotions. Identify the participants' resilience index. Try to see if the variables (positive emotions and resilience) are related. Method: this is an exploratory descriptive study. Participants: 10 adolescents, between 12 and 18 years old, with cancer undergoing treatment. Instruments: positivity test and resilience scale. Semi structured interview. Procedure: the research was carried out at the Ronald house, located in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Participants signed an informed consent form with their guardians. They performed the tests and responded to the interview. Field information was gathered in the in-person mode, within a 3-month interval. Results and discussion: The positivity test showed a higher rate of positive emotions than negative emotions. The most scored positive emotions were: gratitude, love, hope and interest. On the resilience scale, all participants exhibited a high resilience index. Qualitative data from the interview and field observation generated the following categories: protective factors (spirituality; social integration; family atmosphere; meaning derived from hope; and courageous confrontation and transcendence) and; risk factors (uncertainties regarding the effects of the disease; and defensive/avoidant coping) (Haase et al., 2017). Spearman's correlation was used to measure the relationship between the categories and the resilience index. It was found that the resilience score did not present a significant relationship with any of the studied categories. However, spirituality scored close to resilience. The categories that stood out the most were: spirituality, meaning derived from hope and transcendence. Conclusion: Although it was not possible to point out a correlation of statistical dependence between positive emotions and resilience, both had high rates in the investigated group, suggesting a relationship between the two variables. Based on the results found, some complementary practices were proposed: continuous exercise of gratitude, strengthening of spirituality, promotion of a space for listening and voice to adolescents with cancer. It is suggested that these measures include the adolescent with cancer, their families, and the health team, with the objective of promoting an increase in the well-being and flourishing of everyone involved.