Dr. Dana Male is a Clinical and Health Psychologist at the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary. She conducts research that aims to improve and integrate evidence-based psychosocial services into standard health care by investigating the feasibility and utility of clinical interventions for people affected by cancer. Dr. Male has a particular interest in developing and evaluating group-based programs and virtual services that have the potential to reduce barriers to timely and accessible psychosocial care. Dr. Male also enjoys teaching and clinical supervision of trainees.
Male, Dana
Psychosocial Oncology
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Ph.D., R. Psych.
Biography
Area of Focus
- Psychosocial oncology interventions
- Group-based programs
- Breast cancer
- Dyadic (couples) coping
- Young adult adjustment to illness
- Program development and evaluation
- Mixed methods research
Summary of Research
Current projects
PIVOT (Prioritizing Important Values, Opportunities, and Transitions) is a pilot study of a 6-week virtual group therapy intervention for individuals in their 30s and 40s navigating the ways cancer changes life plans. The aim of this group is to help young adults in their 30s and 40s connect with others and learn skills to cope with important aspects of functioning that are uniquely impacted by illness (career/school/livelihood, body image and identity, sexual health, fertility, relationships & communication). Feasibility and acceptability will be evaluated according to recruitment and retention rates, as well as treatment satisfaction questionnaires. Preliminary effectiveness will be evaluated based on patient reported outcomes including quality of life, isolation, and posttraumatic growth.
Co-developed Cancer Care Alberta’s ‘Coping with a New Cancer Diagnosis’ e-course – a self-paced online resource to help make sense of difficult emotions, develop coping skills, and learn of practical supportive care tools and services. Course available at https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/cca/modules/coping-with-new-cancer-diagnosis/index.html#/
Key Publications
Male, D., Fergus, K., & Yufe, S. (2022). ‘Weighing’ losses and gains: Evaluation of a pilot lifestyle modification program intended to support healthy weight management following breast cancer. Frontiers in Psychology, 13: 814671.doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.814671
Yufe, S., Fergus, K., & Male, D. (2021). Storying my lifestyle change: How breast cancer survivors experience and reflect on their participation in a pilot healthy lifestyle intervention. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 16:1864903. doi:10.1080/17482631.2020.1864903
Yufe, S., Fergus, K., & Male, D. (2019). Lifestyle change experiences among breast cancer survivors participating in a pilot intervention: A narrative thematic analysis. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 41, 97 103.
Male, D., Fergus, K. D., & Stephen, J. E. (2017). Professional online support group facilitators: Guarantors of maximal group utility. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 67, 314-336. doi:10.1080/00207284.2016.1240587
Male, D., Fergus, K. D., & Cullen, K. (2015). Sexual identity after breast cancer: Sexuality, body image, and relationship repercussions. Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care.
Male, D., Fergus, K. D., & Stephen, J. E. (2015). The continuous confrontation of caregiving, as told through real-time online group chat. Journal of Palliative Care, 31, 36-43.
Clinical Psychology Residency Supervisor
Area Of Focus
- Psychosocial oncology interventions
- Group-based programs
- Breast cancer
- Dyadic (couples) coping
- Young adult adjustment to illness
- Program development and evaluation
- Mixed methods research
Summary Of Research
Current projects
PIVOT (Prioritizing Important Values, Opportunities, and Transitions) is a pilot study of a 6-week virtual group therapy intervention for individuals in their 30s and 40s navigating the ways cancer changes life plans. The aim of this group is to help young adults in their 30s and 40s connect with others and learn skills to cope with important aspects of functioning that are uniquely impacted by illness (career/school/livelihood, body image and identity, sexual health, fertility, relationships & communication). Feasibility and acceptability will be evaluated according to recruitment and retention rates, as well as treatment satisfaction questionnaires. Preliminary effectiveness will be evaluated based on patient reported outcomes including quality of life, isolation, and posttraumatic growth.
Co-developed Cancer Care Alberta’s ‘Coping with a New Cancer Diagnosis’ e-course – a self-paced online resource to help make sense of difficult emotions, develop coping skills, and learn of practical supportive care tools and services. Course available at https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/cca/modules/coping-with-new-cancer-diagnosis/index.html#/
Key Publications
Male, D., Fergus, K., & Yufe, S. (2022). ‘Weighing’ losses and gains: Evaluation of a pilot lifestyle modification program intended to support healthy weight management following breast cancer. Frontiers in Psychology, 13: 814671.doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.814671
Yufe, S., Fergus, K., & Male, D. (2021). Storying my lifestyle change: How breast cancer survivors experience and reflect on their participation in a pilot healthy lifestyle intervention. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 16:1864903. doi:10.1080/17482631.2020.1864903
Yufe, S., Fergus, K., & Male, D. (2019). Lifestyle change experiences among breast cancer survivors participating in a pilot intervention: A narrative thematic analysis. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 41, 97 103.
Male, D., Fergus, K. D., & Stephen, J. E. (2017). Professional online support group facilitators: Guarantors of maximal group utility. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 67, 314-336. doi:10.1080/00207284.2016.1240587
Male, D., Fergus, K. D., & Cullen, K. (2015). Sexual identity after breast cancer: Sexuality, body image, and relationship repercussions. Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care.
Male, D., Fergus, K. D., & Stephen, J. E. (2015). The continuous confrontation of caregiving, as told through real-time online group chat. Journal of Palliative Care, 31, 36-43.
Clinical Psychology Residency Supervisor