The Effect of Logotherapy on the Suffering, Finding Meaning, and Spiritual Well-being of Adolescents with Terminal Cancer*

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of a logotherapy education program. Methods: A nonequivalent control group, non-synchronized design was conducted with a convenience sample of 29 children with cancer. The experimental group (n=17) participated in the logotherapy education program which consisted of 5 daily sessions for one week. The control group (n=12) received the usual nursing care. The effects were measured using suffering, adolescent meaning in life (AMIL), and spiritual well-being (SWBS) scales. Results: There were significant differences in suffering (W=153.00, p .05). Conclusions: Logotherapy was effective in reducing suffering and improving the meaning in life. Logotherapy can be utilized for adolescents with terminal cancer to prevent existential distress and improve their quality of life.