2022 Many Thanks: Gratitude’s Role in Alleviating Existential Distress Related To Cancer: Part I
Kerry Irish, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW
October 25, 2022
Title: 2022 Many Thanks: Gratitude’s Role in Alleviating Existential Distress Related To Cancer: Part I
October 25, 2022
11am - 12:30 pm Central
12pm - 1:30 pm Eastern
Speaker: Kerry Irish, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW (bio below)
Description:
Originally presented at the 38th AOSW Conference in Raleigh, NC as a Clinical Practice Intensive, this presentation has been adapted to be presented as a live and recorded webinar, presented in two parts. The goal of this webinar series is to increase both knowledge and clinical acumen with evidence-based and practical, easy-to-use clinical practice materials. The presentation will: (1): Provide a theoretical context and review of the current literature regarding existential distress in cancer patients and the benefits of gratitude interventions to mitigate same; (2) provide specific clinical skill-building suggestions for oncology, palliative care, and hospice social workers; (3) incorporate suggestions for developing programs in one’s own setting that may enhance both patient and staff well-being; and(4) enable participants to explore gratitude as an important self-care practice to mitigate the effects of empathic distress and other work-related stressors. The presentation combines both didactic and experiential components to maximize comprehension and skill attainment.
Part I: Existential distress within the context of cancer may include death anxiety, grief related to change and loss, challenges related to loss of autonomy and control, regret over the past, and a sense of isolation and altered relationships (Kissane & Franzcp, 2012; Vehling & Philipp, 2018). Understanding and alleviating existential distress is an essential component of the clinical care provided by oncology social workers, and clinical interventions aimed at promoting gratitude show promise in this arena. Over the past two decades, there has been an increasing amount of research on the effects of gratitude on wellbeing in both people facing health challenges as well as in the general population. This research, which largely stems from the fields of positive psychology, demonstrates that gratitude is beneficial in improving physical, psychological and relational wellbeing (Emmons, Froh, & Rose, 2019). While there are relatively few studies to date on the benefits of gratitude interventions in the oncology population, those that exist demonstrate decidedly positive results in reducing death anxiety (Otto, Szczesny, Soriano, Laurenceau & Siegel, 2016), fear of recurrence (Otto et al, 2016), reduction of distress (Ruini & Vescovelli, 2012), improved resilience (Cerezo, Ortiz-Tallo, Caredenal, & Torre-Luque, 2014), higher psychological functioning (Ruini & Vescovelli, 2012; Sztachanska, Krejtz, & Nezlek, 2019), greater social support (Sztachanska et al, 2019), and post-traumatic growth (Ruini & Vescovelli, 2012) and overall improvement in well-being (Cerezo et al, 2014).
After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:
ASWB Details:
Level: Intermediate
Advance Preparation: none
Number of Credits: 1.5
Support Material:
1. GQ-6
2. CASH assessment tool article
3. SWLS
October 25, 2022
11am - 12:30 pm Central
12pm - 1:30 pm Eastern
Speaker: Kerry Irish, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW (bio below)
Description:
Originally presented at the 38th AOSW Conference in Raleigh, NC as a Clinical Practice Intensive, this presentation has been adapted to be presented as a live and recorded webinar, presented in two parts. The goal of this webinar series is to increase both knowledge and clinical acumen with evidence-based and practical, easy-to-use clinical practice materials. The presentation will: (1): Provide a theoretical context and review of the current literature regarding existential distress in cancer patients and the benefits of gratitude interventions to mitigate same; (2) provide specific clinical skill-building suggestions for oncology, palliative care, and hospice social workers; (3) incorporate suggestions for developing programs in one’s own setting that may enhance both patient and staff well-being; and(4) enable participants to explore gratitude as an important self-care practice to mitigate the effects of empathic distress and other work-related stressors. The presentation combines both didactic and experiential components to maximize comprehension and skill attainment.
Part I: Existential distress within the context of cancer may include death anxiety, grief related to change and loss, challenges related to loss of autonomy and control, regret over the past, and a sense of isolation and altered relationships (Kissane & Franzcp, 2012; Vehling & Philipp, 2018). Understanding and alleviating existential distress is an essential component of the clinical care provided by oncology social workers, and clinical interventions aimed at promoting gratitude show promise in this arena. Over the past two decades, there has been an increasing amount of research on the effects of gratitude on wellbeing in both people facing health challenges as well as in the general population. This research, which largely stems from the fields of positive psychology, demonstrates that gratitude is beneficial in improving physical, psychological and relational wellbeing (Emmons, Froh, & Rose, 2019). While there are relatively few studies to date on the benefits of gratitude interventions in the oncology population, those that exist demonstrate decidedly positive results in reducing death anxiety (Otto, Szczesny, Soriano, Laurenceau & Siegel, 2016), fear of recurrence (Otto et al, 2016), reduction of distress (Ruini & Vescovelli, 2012), improved resilience (Cerezo, Ortiz-Tallo, Caredenal, & Torre-Luque, 2014), higher psychological functioning (Ruini & Vescovelli, 2012; Sztachanska, Krejtz, & Nezlek, 2019), greater social support (Sztachanska et al, 2019), and post-traumatic growth (Ruini & Vescovelli, 2012) and overall improvement in well-being (Cerezo et al, 2014).
After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Identify and describe existential distress and factors that contribute to same in cancer patients.
- Articulate the value of gratitude in enhancing wellbeing and mitigating existential distress in cancer patients.
- Identify and apply three gratitude-enhancing interventions with cancer patients.
ASWB Details:
Level: Intermediate
Advance Preparation: none
Number of Credits: 1.5
Support Material:
1. GQ-6
2. CASH assessment tool article
3. SWLS