Objectives/Purpose:
Cancer significantly affects not only patients but also their spouses, who face emotional and existential challenges. Hope plays a crucial role in helping caregivers navigate the uncertainties of their partner’s illness. However, limited research has explored the extra-personal factors shaping hope in the wives of men with cancer. This study investigates the lived experiences of this group, focusing on the external influences that contribute to hope formation.
Sample and Setting:
The study was conducted in Iran and involved 11 spouses of men diagnosed with cancer. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling from oncology support groups and hospitals.
Procedures:
This study employed a qualitative content analysis approach. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews and analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman’s thematic analysis method. Trustworthiness was ensured through Guba and Lincoln’s criteria, including credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability.
Results:
A total of 116 initial codes emerged, systematically categorized into a core theme: Extra-personal Foundations of Hope Formation. Two major subcategories were identified:
Conclusion and Clinical Implications:
Hope formation in caregivers extends beyond intrapsychic processes to extra-personal influences. Effective cognitive-existential interventions should integrate external sources of hope, including authoritative guidance and social modeling. These findings contribute to developing targeted counseling interventions to support caregivers' resilience. Further research is needed to assess the impact of group-based interventions and cross-cultural differences in extra-personal hope formation.