Positive Activities Intervention to Improve Quality of Life in Collectivist Culture Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To evaluate the feasibility of conducting a study of two positive activities intended to improve the psychological and interpersonal well-being of cancer patients from collectivist cultures. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To preliminarily assess changes in psychological, interpersonal, and physical well-being of the intervention patients and caregivers compared to control patients and caregivers. II. To preliminarily assess changes in psychological, interpersonal, and physical well-being of patients and caregivers who are members of collectivist cultures (African American, Asian American, or Latino/Hispanic) compared to patients and caregivers who are members of individualist (European American) cultures. EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVE: I. To explore mechanisms through which the interventions may improve psychological and interpersonal well-being. OUTLINE: Participants are randomized to 1 of 3 conditions. CONDITION I (CONTRIBUTION): Patients do 1 nice thing (can be as large or as small as they wish) 2 times per week (BIW) for 4 weeks for their caregivers while at home. CONDITION II (GRATITUDE): Patients write a letter or note of gratitude BIW for 4 weeks to their caregivers who have helped with their treatment or recovery. CONDITION III (CONTROL): Participants keep track of their daily activities. After completion of study, participants are followed up for 28 days.