Role relationships and the restoration of coherence in the stories of women diagnosed with breast cancer

Authors

Lisbeth G. Lane, University of WollongongFollow
Linda L. Viney, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

86112

Publication Details

Lane, L. G. & Viney, L. L. (2006). Role relationships and the restoration of coherence in the stories of women diagnosed with breast cancer. In P. Caputi, H. Foster & L. L. Viney (Eds.), Personal Construct Psychology: New Ideas (pp. 205-213). England: John Wiley & Sons.

Abstract

Within personal construct theory, relationships with others, based on a mutual intention to understand each other's construction processes, are considered to be a primary source of validation and invalidation of meaning-making. A major task of psychotherapeutic work with people facing the ongoing threat of breast cancer, therefore, is to facilitate interpersonal opportunities in which individuals can formulate, test and elaborate their ongoing stories about themselves. Personal construct ideas relating to meaning-making; including the experience cycle, role relationships and support are presented in this chapter. These concepts provide the framework for personal construct group work aimed at restoring a sense of coherence in women living with breast cancer's ongoing stories of survivaL