Stanford Research · Scholarly Record

The Life Tapes Project.

Peer-reviewed papers, the published abstract, findings, and presentation record.

Alison Leigh, MFT — Stanford research principal investigator

Peer-Reviewed Publication

The Life Tape Project: Increasing Family Social Support and Symbolic Immortality

Rosenbaum E, Garlan RW, Hirschberger N, Siegel AL, Butler LD, Spiegel D. The Life Tape Project: Increasing Family Social Support and Symbolic Immortality with a Brief Existential Intervention for Cancer Patients and Their Families. OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying. 2006;53(4):321-339. doi:10.2190/F143-5363-3442-5163.

Long-Form Research Summary

The Life Tapes Project was developed as a brief existential intervention for people living with cancer and their families. At its center was a guided, confidential, videotaped conversation in which participants documented personal history, family relationships, values, formative experiences, meaning, identity, and the legacy they wished to leave.

The intervention treated life review as both an individual and a family process. The recording created a durable personal document while the interview itself opened a structured opportunity for communication among patients and the people closest to them.

The research examined two related forms of existential support: stronger family connection in the present and symbolic immortality through the preservation of a person’s story, values, and identity beyond the immediate course of illness.

The published paper describes the project’s clinical rationale, intervention design, and pilot-study findings. It places family communication, meaning, continuity, and legacy within the psychosocial care of cancer patients and their families.

Open Full-Text Paper Official OMEGA Record Stanford Publication Record

Alison L. Siegel (is Alison Leigh, MFT).

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Perceived Benefits and Psychosocial Outcomes of a Brief Existential Family Intervention

Garlan RW, Butler LD, Rosenbaum E, Siegel A, Spiegel D. Perceived benefits and psychosocial outcomes of a brief existential family intervention for cancer patients/survivors. Omega (Westport). 2010;62(3):243-268. doi:10.2190/OM.62.3.C.

This outcomes study evaluated the semi-structured, videotaped life-review interview with cancer patients or survivors and their families. It examined the benefits participants attributed to the intervention and the psychosocial changes reported after participation.

Participants described value in passing on personal beliefs and philosophy, reflecting on their lives, strengthening family cohesion, and improving communication. The findings support the Life Tape as a brief and accessible family intervention with broad psychosocial relevance.

View Official OMEGA Record

Alison L. Siegel (is Alison Leigh, MFT).

Published Abstract

Rosenbaum EH, Garlan RW, Siegel AL, Henderson S, et al. The Life Tape Project, an existential intervention for cancer patients: A report on perceived benefits and changes in quality of life. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2006;24(18 Suppl):8604. doi:10.1200/JCO.2006.24.18_suppl.8604.

Research Summary

The study examined a two-hour videotaped genealogy and life-story interview conducted with patients and family members. Participants completed baseline measures and follow-up assessments at two and ten weeks. The research evaluated quality of life, perceived benefits, and possible unwanted effects.

At the first follow-up, the reported sample of 23 participants showed gains in functional well-being and total quality of life. The most frequently reported benefits involved imparting a personal philosophy, reducing existential dread, gaining perspective and meaning, and improving communication. Final interviews reported no unwanted effects.

74%

Imparting personal philosophy

70%

Reducing existential dread

65%

Gaining perspective and meaning

57%

Improved communication

View Official Journal of Clinical Oncology Record

Alison L. Siegel (is Alison Leigh, MFT).

Presentations and Posters

Symbolic Immortality: An Existential Intervention for Cancer Patients

Siegel AL, Rosenbaum EH, Garlan RW, Butler LD, Hirschberger N, Spiegel D.

National presentations and poster presentations related to The Life Tapes Project.

Alison L. Siegel (is Alison Leigh, MFT).

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