Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Jay Greiner

Abstract

AbstractPhysical activity (PA) is recognized as a treatment protocol for lung cancer patients that improves physical impairments and reduces symptoms of psychological stress. This qualitative interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was conducted to explore the lived experience of lung cancer patients and how PA is influenced by anxiety, depression, and fatigue. This study was guided by Bandura’s self-efficacy theory and Engel’s biopsychosocial model. In-depth semi structured interviews were conducted with seven lung cancer participants over Zoom and in person. The data were analyzed using manual hand coding. The analysis revealed themes in patients’ experiences about how PA participation is influenced by anxiety, depression, and fatigue: (a) lung cancer created fear and left patients feeling scared, (b) distractions and keeping busy is important, (c) increased anxiety left patients feeling unmotivated to be physically active, (d) increased anxiety left some patients determined to keep being physically active, (e) depression left some patients feeling challenged to participate in PA, (f) depression increased some patient's determination and persistence to keep physically active, (g) fatigue negatively influenced the desire to be physically active, and (h) fatigue can be overcome with persistence to be active. These results can assist individuals with lung cancer to understand the importance of PA and how anxiety, depression, and fatigue promote challenges, providing a framework for improving their PA levels. This study also promotes positive social change, as the results have implications for more substantial and more effective PA interventions to be created that support the different lifestyles of each lung cancer patient.

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