Measuring Hope and Hopelessness in Cancer

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to develop an accurate and useful way of measuring patients' thoughts and feelings about hope and hopelessness as they relate to their illness. Doctors and psychologists from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Calvary Hospital, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and Fordham University are working together to design a new measure. Findings from this research will help us study the nature of illness and develop improved methods of diagnosis and treatment. We hope what we learn from you will help us learn more about how to care better for patients with cancer and other severe illnesses.

Official Title
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Measuring Hope and Hopelessness in Cancer

Conditions
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Advanced Cancer

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: questionnaires


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 18 years of age or older. Patients who are able to understand verbal and written English. Diagnosis of cancer. Patients with advanced cancer receiving ambulatory or inpatient care at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Patients at Calvary Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre admitted for palliative care will also be eligible for participation in this study Exclusion Criteria: The presence of a psychotic mental disorder (e.g., Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizo-affective illness, psychosis due to substance abuse) as indicated in medical chart. Cognitive impairment so severe (i.e., Mini-Mental State exam score of less than 20) that, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator or Project Coordinator, would interfere with a patient's ability to give informed consent for research.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| 1<br>Terminally Ill patients | Behavioral: questionnaires<br>* A battery of questionnaires concerning your thoughts, opinions, and attitudes about your illness and outlook on life. In addition, we will ask to provide some background information about you and your illness. The questions will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete. You fill out the questionnaire once only.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To explore and better understand the construct of hopelessness as it applies to terminally ill cancer patients. |  | conclusion of study | 
| To develop a brief self-report measure of hopelessness grounded in the construct of hopelessness as it applies to terminally ill cancer patients. |  | conclusion of study | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To establish the reliability and validity of this newly developed measure of hopelessness in a large sample of terminally ill cancer patients. |  | conclusion of study | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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end stage, Terminally Ill