Population aging and the rising prevalence of cancer among older women highlight the need for psychological approaches that foster autonomy and well-being. This work combines the development of a theoretical-conceptual model with the implementation of a psychological intervention focused on empowerment and quality of life in this population.
The model integrates constructs such as awareness, self-assessment, decision-making, and self-care, organized sequentially and mediated by personal values. It was built upon a thorough literature review and the analysis of existing models, and later refined through a pilot application with two participants in Bogotá, which informed adjustments in language, structure, and content distribution.
Based on this framework, a multiple-case study was conducted with three older women with cancer in Colombia, including three phases: diagnosis, intervention design/implementation, and evaluation. Results showed increases in empowerment (19, 22, and 26 points) and quality of life (4, 9, and 3 points) between pre- and post-assessments, along with qualitative improvements reported in interviews.
In conclusion, the model and its pilot intervention demonstrate the relevance of fostering empowerment processes that strengthen active participation in health-related decisions, positively influencing quality of life. These findings underscore the importance of psychological interventions that connect theory and practice to promote autonomy in older women with cancer.