Men’s strategies for preserving emotional well-being in advanced prostate cancer: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

OBJECTIVE: This study explores men with advanced prostate cancers' own practices for promoting and maintaining emotional well-being using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. DESIGN: Five men with advanced prostate cancer participated in face-to-face, semi-structured, in-depth interviews. RESULTS: Within rich narratives of lost and regained well-being, two super-ordinate themes emerged--'living with an imminent and uncertain death' and 'holding on to life.' Well-being was threatened by reduced sense of the future, isolation and uncertainty. Yet, the men pursued well-being by managing their emotions, striving for the future whilst enjoying life in the present, taking care of their families and renegotiating purpose. Running through participant's accounts was a preference for taking action and problem-solving. Sense of purpose, social connectedness, and life engagement were revealed as concepts central to improving well-being, indicating areas which practitioners could explore with men to help them re-establish personal goals and life purpose. CONCLUSIONS: The findings also add weight to the evidence base for the potential value of psychological interventions such as cognitive behaviour therapy and mindfulness in men with prostate cancer.