The effects of interviews on "attributing meaning to life" by a nurse on posttraumatic growth, finding meaning in life and spiritual well being of gynecological cancer patients

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of Logotherapy-based interviews on attributing meaning to life provided by a nurse to women diagnosed with gynecological cancer on traumatic stress symptoms, posttraumatic growth, meaning in life, and spiritual well-being. Method: The study is mixed-method research in which quantitative and qualitative approaches are applied together. The quantitative stage was performed in a randomized controlled design with 68 women diagnosed with gynecological cancers. The intervention group was interviewed on attributing meaning to life based on logotherapy. The data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale, Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and Spiritual Well-Being Scale. Descriptive statistics and parametric-nonparametric tests were used to analyze the data. For the qualitative stage, interviews were carried out with 14 women in the intervention group using a semi-structured individual in-depth interview form. In the analysis of qualitative data, Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach was used. Results: The analysis of the quantitative data revealed that there is a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of the mean total score of the Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale, Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, and Meaning in Life Questionnaire (p=0.000). No statistically significant change was seen in the mean total score of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale of women between groups (p=0.145). As a result of the analysis of qualitative data, eight main themes were identified such as the benefits of attributing meaning to life interviews, changes experienced, the meaning of life, etc. Conclusion: The results showed that interviews on attributing meaning to life based on logotherapy reduced the traumatic stress symptoms of women, increased the level of post-traumatic growth and meaning in life. The women felt relieved psychologically, realized sources of meaning, and responsibilities. Keywords: gynecological cancers, posttraumatic growth, the meaning of life, nursing, logotherapy