Provision of supportive care by an NGO in the face of a dual challenge: cancer and wartime.

Autor: Hamama L; The Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel. hamama@tauex.tau.ac.il., Kuperman S; Halasartan (Stop Cancer) NGO, Tel Aviv, Israel., Bar-Doron M; Halasartan (Stop Cancer) NGO, Tel Aviv, Israel., Hamama-Raz Y; School of Social Work, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer [Support Care Cancer] 2024 Nov 18; Vol. 32 (12), pp. 797. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Nov 18.
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-09009-w
Abstrakt: Purpose: In this study, we explored the work of Halasartan (Stop Cancer), an Israeli nongovernmental organization (NGO) and unique social support network for cancer patients and survivors aged 18-44, during a war period. Drawing on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, we examined whether self-efficacy, social support, psychological distress, and participation in activities that were geared toward alleviating the war situation at Time 1 (T1) would predict engagement in such activities at Time 2 (T2).
Methods: A longitudinal design with two time-points was used, and NGO members completed self-report questionnaires. At T1, the cohort comprised 250 members (cancer patients/ survivors); at T2, there were 213. However, only 90 NGO members completed the questionnaires at both time-points.
Results: A significant reduction in psychological distress was observed over time among participants engaged in the NGO's activities, but no differences were observed in participants' self-efficacy or social support. Moreover, participation in NGO activities during wartime at T2 was predicted by biological sex (female), lower self-efficacy, and participation in NGO activities at T1.
Conclusion: Halasartan (Stop Cancer) played a pivotal role in offering a sense of normalcy, community, and support to young-adult cancer patients and survivors during a period of war. The study underscores the essential nature of NGO activities tailored to the unique needs of this demographic, particularly in times of crisis. A broader implementation of such supportive interventions to enhance the well-being of vulnerable populations is suggested.
Competing Interests: Declarations Conflict of interest The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics approval This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Tel Aviv University (no. 0007450–1). This study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki. Consent to participate All individual participants included in the study provided informed consent.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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