Women with Stage IV breast cancer describe experiences of self-transcendence that increase their sense of self-worth, purpose, and connection with others. Five women who had lived with metastatic disease from 2 to 7 years reached out to help other women, allowed others to help them, or accepted unchangeable situations. These experiences helped them find meaning in life despite a life-threatening illness. Nurses may foster conditions that allow such experiences to occur.
Emerging adults with type 1 diabetes face challenges managing daily self-care while pursuing typical developmental milestones, which can lead to distress and reduced well-being. This study describes how self-transcendence—a natural human process of expanding personal boundaries—helps these individuals cope. Interviews with 29 emerging adults revealed that self-transcendence-inspired perspectives and behaviors supported their diabetes self-care and promoted a sense of well-being. The findings suggest that fostering self-transcendence may be a valuable resource for reducing vulnerability and improving health outcomes in this population.
People who took part in short-term, faith-based, foreign healthcare missions reported higher levels of self-transcendence than comparison groups, with women scoring higher than men. The findings support and extend Reed's theory of self-transcendence to this new population, and qualitative responses illustrated the theory's core concepts.