| dc.description.abstract | Cancer patients undergo immense physical, emotional, and psychological distress that
influences overall well-being. Without adequate psychosocial interventions, their mental
health deteriorates further, complicating treatment. Despite advancements in medical care,
a gap exists in understanding and addressing cancer patients' psychosocial needs in many
clinics. Psychosocial interventions are critical for coping, recovery, and healing. This study
evaluated how psychosocial interventions influence the psychological well-being of cancer
patients at oncology clinics in Meru County, Kenya. The objectives were to assess the
influence of individual counselling, family counselling, support groups, and psycho-
education on the psychological well-being of cancer patients and assess the moderating
effect of financial constraints. Guided by person-centered and social cognitive theories, the
study utilized a convergent survey research design. This study was conducted at oncology
clinics in Meru County, Kenya. It adopted systematic and random sampling and
purposive sampling techniques to select participants from a target population of 2580
cancer patients, 2580 caregivers, and 53 clinicians, respectively. Of these, 335 cancer
patients, 40 caregivers and six clinicians were sampled. Data collection tools were
questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups. An overall reliability Cronbach‘s alpha of
0.779 was established, and also checked content, construct and face validity. Piloting was
done at the oncology clinic in Chogoria Hospital in Tharaka Nithi County. Descriptive and
inferential statistical analysis was applied to quantitative data, while thematic analysis
was used on qualitative data. The overall response rate was 83%. The study noted that
most cancer patients display resilience and optimism, although their psychological well
being could be further enhanced through more personalized and patient-centered
approaches, better financial support, and improvements in counseling, psycho-education,
and support groups. Such interventions positively affect well-being by reducing stigma,
enhancing decision-making and problem-solving skills, and increasing empowerment and
preparedness. However, their effectiveness is often limited by inadequate psycho
education, insufficient infrastructure, incomplete psychosocial care information, lack of
personalization in care, and inflexible oncology clinics. Financial difficulties also
significantly distress patients. Comprehensive, multifaceted psychosocial interventions
that include collaborative social support networks and address individual experiences and
financial concerns are crucial for enhancing the psychological well-being of cancer
patients. This study therefore recommends the strengthening support networks,
prioritizing education, investing in suitable healthcare infrastructure and workforce
development programs, engaging families, promoting experience sharing in support
groups and ensuring available access to psycho- education. The government should
address financial burdens through policy reforms, infrastructure development,
partnerships, education and other direct assistance programs. The implications for this
study for theories, policies and practice are personalized interventions, self-efficacy,
social support, assessments, education, development, integrated care and financial
assistance. It indicates a need for tailored psychosocial care, skills training, trust-building,
collaboration, and addressing financial burdens to optimize cancer patients' psychological
health through adapted comprehensive interventions. The study contributes new
knowledge in the field of oncology and psychosocial oncology. | en_US |
