Relationships Among Prolonged Grief, Post-Cancer Growth, and Self-Compassion in Patients with Lung Cancer

This study investigated the relationships among self-compassion, prolonged grief, and post-cancer growth in patients with lung cancer. With a quantitative and cross-sectional research model, 100 patients with lung cancer from the Medical Oncology Clinic of Yedikule Hospital were evaluated. Data were collected using sociodemographic and medical forms, the Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale, the Cancer Empowerment Scale, and the Self-Compassion Scale. The results showed that there were significant negative correlations between prolonged grief and cancer empowerment and self-compassion. In contrast, self-compassion showed significant positive correlations with cancer empowerment and its dimensions of personal power and social support. These findings suggest that high self-compassion is associated with reduced prolonged grief and increased empowerment, highlighting its importance in the psychological well-being and adjustment of lung cancer patients. This study emphasizes the need for psychological interventions that promote self-compassion to improve quality of life and treatment adherence in this patient population.