Abstract:
Cancer is a leading source of distress and fatality worldwide. Cancer-related aberrant
cell proliferation causes excruciating pain and impairment. To cope with pain and
manage symptoms and illness, pharmaceutical and non-pharmacological options are
available. Self-care behaviors are recognized as a key source in symptom management
and improving quality adherence to treatment among the current non-pharmacological
strategies. The intervention measures to improve self-care were hardly impacted because
of the narrow focus on physical self-care. Bringing in emotional self-care and addressing
the individual’s emotional health can enhance the effectiveness of interventions on a
holistic level. Hence, this study has attempted to explore the factors that influence
emotional self-care among individuals with cancer. Following an exploratory research
design, the data were collected from 15 participants (4 men and 11 women) using
purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews. Through thematic analysis, eight
major themes were identified: physiological factors, social factors, family factors,
psychological factors, individual factors, socioeconomic factors, cultural factors, and
spiritual factors. The findings explained the emotional self-care among patients with
cancer and how different identified factors influence their emotional self-care practices.