Date of Award

12-2010

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Program

Counselor Education

Department

Educational Leadership, Counseling, and Foundations

Major Professor

Paradise, Louis V.

Second Advisor

Thoreson, Claire

Third Advisor

Watson, Zarus

Fourth Advisor

Pearman, Tim

Abstract

There are several psychosocial factors that can affect an individual diagnosed with cancer (Holland, 2003), and directly addressing these issues with patients is important for their overall care and quality of life (Holland, 1998). The practice of psycho-oncology has been designed to assess these psychosocial issues with patients and their caregivers by means of outlets such as support groups to facilitate a wellness model of care (Myers & Sweeney, 2008). Using the demographics of age and sex, I plan to analyze and identify what psychosocial needs are significant to individuals diagnosed with cancer, and compare the sex and age of two significantly represented patient age groups 18-40 and 41-80 years old. I will survey the patients of Tulane Cancer Center in New Orleans, Louisiana when they arrive for medical treatment at the facility. The survey will include a demographic page, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G (Version 4), the Body Image Scale (BIS), the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire-Short Form (CSFQ-14), and additional questions regarding the extent to which an individual would attend a support group designed for their specific age and sex demographic. Through data analysis, I hope to discover whether any of the variables of body image, sexual functioning, physical well being, social/family well being, emotional well being, and functional well being show significant differences between the male or female young adult population of 18-40 year olds and those patients who are 41-80 years old. The findings should allow psycho-oncology clinicians to utilize this knowledge to address what psychosocial needs are appropriate for each age and sex group, and thus enhance the overall care of the patient.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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