Understanding the Relationship of Time Perspective, Hope and Mental Health in Cancer Patients in Active Treatment and Early Survivorship
Creators: McElheran, Jesse
Publisher: name: University of Alberta Library
Year: 2024

<p>It is expected that two in five Canadians will develop cancer within their lifetimes (Canadian Cancer Society, 2023). With survival rates improving for many types of cancer, it is increasingly important to understand the different phases of survivorship and how those phases relate to mental health and aspects of well-being. Currently there is little research in psycho-oncology examining time perspective in treatment and survivorship, and limited research examining a balanced time perspective within a cancer population. A balanced time perspective is the ideal balance of the past, present, and future time perspective (Zimbardo &amp; Boyd, 1999) That time perspective has been linked to higher levels of well-being and hope (McElheran, 2012). Despite hope theories articulating a temporal component to hope, the research exploring the relationship between hope and time perspective is scarce.<br><br>
The current study: The purpose of the current study was to determine if a balanced time perspective exists in cancer patients in active treatment and early survivorship, to examine correlates of mental health in both phases of survivorship, and to ascertain if hope mediates the relationship between time perspective and mental health outcomes.<br>
Methods: Using an online survey, 216 cancer patients and survivors (83 in active treatment and 130 in early survivorship) completed measures of demographics, time perspective, depression, anxiety, and two measures of hope.  Correlation and ANOVAs were used to examine differences between measures and demographic variables.  Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to assess time perspective clusters followed by ANOVA to assess group differences.  Multiple regression analyses determined if hope mediated relationships between time perspective cluster and mental health outcomes, and if treatment status moderated this relationship.<br>
Findings: Measures of hope were highly correlated with each other, and negatively associated with depression and anxiety.  Depression had positive relationships with past-negative and negative-future, and negative relationships with past-positive and positive-future subscales.  Anxiety was most highly related to past-negative and negative-future. Hope was most highly associated with past-positive and positive future, and negatively associated with past-negative, negative future, and present-fatalism. There were no differences found in depression and anxiety between those in active treatment and early survivorship.  Those in early survivorship were less hopeful compared to those in active treatment. Three interpretable clusters emerged including balanced, disconnected future, and negative time perspectives.  The balanced time perspective cluster was less anxious and depressed, and more hopeful than those in the negative time perspective cluster. Mediation was found in that the advantage of possessing a balanced time perspective cluster over the others predicting anxiety and depression diminished in the presence of hope measured by Herth Hope Index.<br>
Implications: Findings are discussed in light of the research on time perspective therapy and how it may be applied to supporting cancer patients.  The relationship between hope and time perspective cluster is discussed.  The necessity of more clearly defined stages of survivorship for more precise evidence-based treatment research is explored.  This will result in accessible, effective supports for patients moving through the cancer continuum. </p>