Faith-Based African American Cancer Survivorship Storytelling

Faith-Based African American Cancer Survivorship Storytelling: A Culturally Relevant Intervention to Alleviate Psychological Stress

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention (viewing of video recordings) designed to reduce psychological distress among African Americans during treatment for cancer. This knowledge will inform a larger test of an intervention.

This study addresses a need to integrate spirituality with cancer care as requested among African Americans. In the PI's research with African Americans, a dominant mental health promoting strategy used in response to a cancer diagnosis is the use of religious stories and songs. African Americans have a strong cultural history of relying on religious stories and songs to overcome oppression and mental suffering encountered in their lived experience. If successful, the findings from this preliminary study will contribute to the evidence that spirituality is important to cancer care and to achieving optimal patient outcomes among this medically underserved population. More importantly, the infusion of spirituality in cancer care has to potential to reduce the high levels of psychological distress experienced among African Americans and FCG's; to enable them to become more engaged in their cancer care and in supportive family relationships; and, ultimately to improve the overall quality of life for African American cancer patients and FCGs. The actual administration of the intervention (viewing of video recordings) will take approximately 30 minutes with all sessions to occur over a 3 week period. The intervention will consist of participants viewing a selection of video recorded vignettes during 3 weekly sessions. The vignettes are of actual African American cancer survivors narrating stories of ways in which hymns can be used to overcome their anxieties and depressed moods through the use of a hymn.

Inclusion Criteria for Patients:

• Age 30-89 years
• Newly diagnosed with any stage cancer
• Treatment plans to include weekly outpatient chemotherapy
• Previously screened and with greater than 0 level of psychological distress
• Willingness to participate in all study activities including data collection
• Willing to identify a family caregiver (FCG) (immediate or extended family member) to also participate

Exclusion Criteria for Patients:

• Have completed surgery with no plans for chemotherapy
• Find conversations around religion or spirituality emotionally upsetting
• Have completed more than half of prescribed chemotherapy treatments
• In hospice care
• Not able to provide informed consent

Inclusion Criteria for Family Caregiver:

• Immediate or extended family member of the patient
• 18 years of age or older
• Able to provide informed consent
• Willing to participate in study activities, including data collection

Exclusion Criteria for Family Caregiver:

• Find conversations around religion or spirituality emotionally upsetting