Objective Positive psychological constructs (e.g., optimism and hope) have been associated with superior health outcomes in the recovery from hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in prior work. However, such studies have not examined a broad range of positive psychological constructs, their sources or evolution over time, or their connections with key health behaviors. We used semistructured qualitative interviews in 25 HSCT patients to explore the nature and sources of positive psychological experiences during the first 100 days after transplantation. Methods Participants completed interviews during their HSCT hospitalization and approximately 100 days after transplantation. Transcribed interviews were organized and analyzed using NVivo 12 software by two coders (κ = 0.92). Interviews focused on the breadth of positive psychological experiences, their sources and evolution during the 100 days, and participants' perceived impact of positive constructs on health behaviors. Results Several positive psychological constructs especially gratitude, determination, and optimism were frequently expressed. Family support and deliberate participation in pleasant and meaningful activities were the two primary sources of positive psychological experiences after HSCT. At baseline, participants consistently reported gratitude for their donors while follow‐up was consistently characterized by hope for cure and return to baseline level of functioning. Additionally, participants related bidirectional relationships between positive psychological well‐being experiences and completion of health behaviors over time. Conclusions As one of the first qualitative studies characterizing the breadth, sources, and evolution of positive psychological experiences in HSCT patients, these findings add to the literature aimed at understanding psychological well‐being in this complex and growing patient population.
Background: Positive psychological constructs (eg, optimism, positive affect) may help people engage in physical activity, though the details of these relationships and their directionality have not been studied in depth in people with cardiovascular risk factors. The objectives of this study were to use qualitative research to explore the relationships of positive psychological constructs with physical activity among people with metabolic syndrome. Methods: Participants with metabolic syndrome and low physical activity from an academic medical center completed semistructured phone interviews about associations between physical activity and positive psychological constructs, and perceptions about benefits, motivation, and barriers to physical activity. Results: The participants (n = 21) were predominantly older (mean age = 63 y) white (95.2%) women (61.9%). Engaging in physical activity was commonly associated with enjoyment, energy, relaxation, accomplishment, and determination. Experiencing positive psychological constructs like enjoyment, energy, connectedness, optimism, and determination also helped them engage in physical activity. Perceived benefits, facilitators, and barriers of physical activity engagement were noted. Conclusions: The participants at high risk for chronic diseases described many specific positive psychological constructs that both promote and result from physical activity. Testing ways to increase positive psychological constructs may be a novel way to help people at high risk of chronic diseases become more active.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a life-saving treatment for many patients with haematologic malignancies (Singh & McGuirk, 2016). Currently, approximately 20,000 HSCTs are performed in the United States annually and the number of transplants is projected to increase (Majhail et al., 2013). Survival following HSCT continues to improve with a decreased burden of physical symptoms and complications that follow the transplant. Psychological well-being is critical to successful recovery from HSCT due to the intense nature of the treatment during hospitalisation and the demands of quarantine and frequent follow-up visits (Mosher, Redd, Rini, Burkhalter, & DuHamel, 2009). Psychological well-being during HSCT recovery is usually threatened by multiple factors including rehospitalisation, graft-versus-host
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