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Rebuilding self-confidence after cancer: a feasibility study of life-coaching

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Abstract

Background

Cancer survivors often experience decreased self-confidence which impacts negatively on their ability to self-manage the practical, social and emotional problems frequently faced as they emerge from end of treatment. This was a feasibility study of a life-coaching intervention, designed to rebuild confidence of survivors and support transition to life after cancer treatment.

Methods

A one group pre-test, post-test design was used, recruiting participants from community organisations. Eligibility criteria are as follows: <1 year of completion of primary cancer treatment, aged >18, no metastases, and no mental health problems. Participants received one individualised face-to-face and five telephone coaching sessions over 3 months. Outcome measures are as follows: New General Self-Efficacy Scale, Hope Scale, Personal Well-being Index, Assessment of Survivorship Concerns, Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Social Difficulties Index, and a goal attainment score. Interviews explored feasibility, acceptability and impact of life-coaching and research design.

Results

Nine women and two men were recruited, representing varying cancer diagnoses. All outcome measures were sensitive to change and indicated positive trends post-intervention. Participant interviews indicated the intervention was well received and had a positive impact. Lessons were learnt about study design, recruitment and intervention delivery.

Conclusions

Life-coaching has a potential to enable cancer survivors to manage the transition to life beyond cancer and effect change on a range of outcomes. The intervention was feasible to deliver and acceptable to survivors at a time when many struggle to make sense of life. It merits further evaluation through a randomised controlled trial.

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Acknowledgments

We would like in particular to thank Isabel van der Venn and Dr. Joanne Lee, the two professional life coaches who delivered the life-coaching intervention to participants free of charge. Special thanks also to Fay Young for her critical reading of the paper. We would also like to thank all those who participated in the study.

Conflict of interest

There are no conflicts of interest for any of the authors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, S017 1BJ, UK

    Richard Wagland & Deborah Fenlon

  2. University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK

    Ruth Tarrant & Gilly Howard-Jones

  3. Faculty of Health Science, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton & University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK

    Alison Richardson

Authors
  1. Richard Wagland
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  2. Deborah Fenlon
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  3. Ruth Tarrant
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  4. Gilly Howard-Jones
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  5. Alison Richardson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Richard Wagland.

Additional information

Implications for research/policies: Life-coaching potentially offers an effective way to address the challenging social, personal and economic issues patients experience as they move to a life beyond cancer treatment.

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Wagland, R., Fenlon, D., Tarrant, R. et al. Rebuilding self-confidence after cancer: a feasibility study of life-coaching. Support Care Cancer 23, 651–659 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2399-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2399-5

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