Choosing Growth: Post-Traumatic Growth in Young Breast Cancer Survivors Who Have Undergone Chemotherapy

This dissertation in practice explored how young breast cancer survivors, who underwent chemotherapy, and were in remission, experienced post-traumatic growth (PTG). The document is divided into three sections: the proposal, the submission-ready manuscript, and the practitioner recommendations. The first section presents the literature review, purpose, method, and research question: How did young female breast cancer survivors, currently in remission and who underwent chemotherapy, experience PTG during their breast cancer journey? The second section presents the submission-ready document about this research, prepared for the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Research findings suggest Physician Assistants (PAs) can help facilitate PTG in breast cancer patients. The third and final section outlines actionable recommendations for breast cancer patients navigating their PTG journey, and also provides recommendations for medical providers who hope to help facilitate patients’ PTG. Additionally, this section also includes reflections of my leadership strengths and weaknesses as well as my leadership philosophy. Keywords: Post-Traumatic Growth, breast cancer, social cognitive theory, positive change

Grantor dc:publisher

Creighton University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Evans, Cydne, Baird

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Georges, Leah
• Cordova, Matthew

• Breast Cancer
• Positive Change
• Post-Traumatic Growth
• Social Cognitive Theory

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://cdr.creighton.edu/handle/10504/163214

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:cdr.creighton.edu:10504/163214