Date Presented 04/03/2025
Camp Discovery is an OT community-based model of care. This research study explored the impact of a 1-week activity-based camp on the self-efficacy of daily activities and coping of female cancer survivors.
Primary Author and Speaker: Colleen Maher
Additional Authors and Speakers: Rochelle Mendonca
BACKGROUND: By 2040, the number of cancer survivors is expected to increase to 26 million1. As the number of cancer survivors increase, occupational therapy needs to be prepared to meet their unique challenges. Literature has shown that to improve QoL in cancer survivors, it is important to first address self-efficacy. Research Question: Does participation in Camp Discovery have a positive effect on self-efficacy of activities of daily living (ADLs) and coping in women with cancer living in the community?
METHOD: This study used a prospective, one group pretest-posttest design to explore the effects of a one-week activity-based camp on self-efficacy of female cancer survivors for ADLs and coping. The sample used were female cancer survivors 18+ at any stage of cancer. A demographic survey was completed on the first day of the program. The Daily Living Self Efficacy Scale (DLSE)2 and the Coping Self Efficacy Scale (CSE)3. were administered on the first day, last day, and 6 weeks following the camp. Data was analyzed for significant difference using ANOVAs.
RESULTS: An overall average score was calculated for the CSE and three average subscale scores; DLSE ADL, DLSE psychological, and DLSE social; were calculated for the DLSE assessment. Four one-way ANOVA’s were conducted for each of these outcomes. Results showed no significant differences for the CSE and DSLE ADL scales from pre- to post- to follow-up assessment. However, significant differences were found for both the DSLE psychological (p <0.01) and DSLE social scales (p <0.01). Post-Hoc Tukey analysis for these two significant results showed improved results from pre- to post, as well as from post- to follow-up scores.
Conclusion and Impact: Occupational therapists should consider community-based models of care such as Camp Discovery, that can address self-efficacy and improve overall QoL especially in the areas of psychological and social functioning, which can lead to improved quality of life.
References
American Cancer Society. (2022). Cancer treatment & survivorship facts & figures. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2022
Maujean, A., Davis, P., Kendall, E., Casey, L., & Loxton, N. (2014). The daily living self-efficacy scale: a new measure for assessing self-efficacy in stroke survivors. Disability and Rehabilitation, 36(6), 504–511. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2013.804592
Chesney, M. A., Neilands, T. B., Chambers, D. B., Taylor, J. M, & Folkman, S. (2006). A validity and reliability study of the coping self-efficacy scale. British Journal of Health Psychology, 11(3), 421–37. https://doi.org/10.1348/135910705X53155.
