Advanced Search

Journal Navigation

Journal Home

Subscriptions

Archive

Contact Us

Table of Contents

The Diabetes Educator

Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
Journal of Health Psychology
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Request Reprints
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Web of Science (1)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Right arrow Citing Articles via Scopus
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Pinquart, M.
Right arrow Articles by Silbereisen, R. K.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Pinquart, M.
Right arrow Articles by Silbereisen, R. K.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Complore   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati   Add to Twitter  
What's this?

Cancer Patients' Perceptions of Positive and Negative Illness-related Changes

Martin Pinquart

Philipps University, Marburg, Germany Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany, Martin.Pinquart{at}uni-jena.de

Cornelia Fröhlich

Philipps University, Marburg, Germany Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany

Rainer K. Silbereisen

Philipps University, Marburg, Germany Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany

We assessed perceived cancer-related change in 153 recently diagnosed patipents. High levels of social support and optimism at the start of chemotherapy predicted higher numbers of perceived positive changes and lower numbers of negative changes nine months later. Higher numbers of perceived gains predicted an increase in positive affect, and higher numbers of negative changes predicted an increase in negative affect at follow-up. We conclude that finding positive consequences of cancer promotes psychological well-being, but patients with low levels of psychosocial resources are at risk for finding nothing beneficial in adversity.

Key Words: benefit finding • cancer-related growth • losses • psychological adaptation • psychological resources

References

  • Andrykowski, M.A., Brady, M.J., & Hunt, J.W. (1993). Positive psychosocial adjustment in potential bone marrow transplant recipients: Cancer as a psychosocial transition. Psycho-Oncology, 2, 261—276.[CrossRef]
  • Antoni, M.H., Lehman, J.M., Klibourn, K.M., Boyers, A.E., Culver, J.L., Alferi, S.M. et al. (2001). Cognitive-behavioral stress-management intervention decreases the prevalence of depression and enhances benefit finding among women under treatment for early-stage breast cancer. Health Psychology, 20, 20—32.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Baltes, P.B. (1987). Theoretical propositions of life-span developmental psychology: On the dynamics between growth and decline. Developmental Psychology, 23, 611—626.[CrossRef][Web of Science]
  • Beadle, G.F., Yates, P.M., Najman, J.M., Clavarino, A., Thomson, D., Williams, G. et al. (2004). Illusions in advanced cancer: The effect of belief systems and attitudes on quality of life. Psycho-Oncology, 13, 26—36.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Belizzi, K.M. (2004). Expression of generativity and posttraumatic growth in adult cancer survivors. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 58, 267—287.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Carpenter, J.S., Brockopp, D.Y., & Andrykowski, M.A. (1999). Self-transformation as a factor in the self-esteem and well-being of breast cancer survivors. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 29, 1402—1411.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Carver, C.S., & Antoni, M.H. (2004). Finding benefit in breast cancer during the year after diagnosis predicts better adjustment 5 to 8 years after diagnosis. Health Psychology, 23, 595—598.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Carver, C.S., Pozo, C., Harris, S.D., Noriega, V., Scheier, M.F., Robinson, D.S. et al. (1993). How coping mediates the effect of optimism on distress: A study of women with early stage breast cancer. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65, 375—390.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Cohen, J. (1992). A power primer. Psychological Bulletin, 112, 155—159.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Collins, R.L., Taylor, S., & Skokan, L.A. (1990). A better world or a shattered vision? Changes in life perspectives following victimization. Social Cognition, 8, 263—285.[Web of Science]
  • Cordova, M.J., Cunningham, L.L., Carlson, C.R., & Andrykowski, M.A. (2001). Posttraumatic growth following breast cancer: A controlled comparison study. Health Psychology, 20, 176—185.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Crumbaugh, J.C., & Maholick, L.T. (1964). An experimental study in existentialism: The psychometric approach to Frankl's concept of noogenic neurosis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 20, 200—207.[Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Curbow, B., Legro, M.R., Baker, F., Wingard, J.R., & Somerfield, M.R. (1993). Loss and recovery themes of long-term survivors of bone marrow transplants. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 10(4), 1—20.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Curbow, B., Somerfield, M.R., Baker, F., Wingard, J.R., & Legro, M.W. (1993). Personal changes, dispositional optimism, and psychological adjustment to bone marrow transplantation: Implications for quality of life assessment. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 19, 221—240.
  • Danoff-Burg, S., & Revenson, T.A. (2005). Benefit-finding among patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Positive effects on interpersonal relationships. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 28, 91—103.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Dow, K.H., Ferrell, R.B., Leigh, S., Ly, J., & Gulasekaram, P. (1996). An evaluation of the quality of life among long-term survivors of breast cancer. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 39, 261—273.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Feldman, S.S., Fisher, L., & Ransom, D.C. (1995). Is `what is good for the goose good for the gander'? Sex differences between adolescent coping and adult adaptation. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 5, 333—359.[CrossRef][Web of Science]
  • Frazier, P., Conlon, A., & Glaser, T. (2001). Positive and negative life changes following sexual assault. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69, 1048—1055.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Fredrickson, B.L., & Carstensen, L.L. (1990). Choosing social partners: How old age and anticipated endings make people more selective. Psychology and Aging, 5, 335—347.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Fromm, K., Andrykowski, M.A., & Hunt, J. (1996). Positive and negative psychosocial sequelae of bone marrow transplantation: Implications for quality of life assessment. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 19, 221—240.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Kessler, J., Denzler, P., & Markowitsch, H.J. (1999). Demenztest: Eine Testbatterie zur Erfassung kognitiver Beeinträchtigungen im Alter. Göttingen: Hogrefe.
  • Kiss, A., & Meryn, S. (2001). Effect of sex and gender on psychosocial aspects of prostate and breast cancer. British Medical Journal, 323, 1056—1058.
  • Klauer, T., Ferring, D., & Filipp, S.H. (1998). `Still stable after all this ...?': Temporal comparisons in coping with severe and chronic disease. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 22, 339—355.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  • Krohne, H., Pieper, M., Knoll, N., & Breimer, N. (2002). The cognitive regulation of emotions: The role of success versus failure experience and coping dispositions. Cognition & Emotion, 16, 217—243.[CrossRef][Web of Science]
  • Kruse, A. (1990). Potentiale im Alter. Zeitschrift für Gerontologie, 23, 235—245.[Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Kurtz, M.E., Wyatt, G., & Kurtz, J.C. (1995). Psychological and sexual well-being, philosophical/ spiritual views, and health habits of long-term cancer survivors. Health Care for Women International, 16, 253—262.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Lebel, S. (2005). Predicting distress and benefit finding in breast cancer survivors at six-year follow-up. Dissertation Abstracts International, 66(2-B), 1175.
  • Lechner, S.C., Zakowski, S.G., Antoni, M.H., Greenhawt, M., Block, K., & Block, P. (2003). Do sociodemographic and disease-related variables influence benefit-finding in cancer patients? Psycho-Oncology, 12, 491—499.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Luszczynska, A., Mohamed, N., & Schwarzer, R. (2005). Self-efficacy and social support predict benefit finding 12 months after cancer surgery: The mediating role of coping strategies. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 10, 365—375.[CrossRef]
  • Mages, N., & Mendelsohn, G.A. (1979). Effects of cancer on patients' lives: A personological approach. In G. Stone, F. Cohen, & N. L. Adler (Eds.), Health psychology (pp. 255—284). San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass.
  • McFarland, C., & Alvaro, C. (2000). The impact of motivation on temporal comparisons: Coping with traumatic events by perceiving personal growth. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79, 327—343.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Petronis, V.M., Carver, C.S., Antoni, M.H., & Weiss, C. (2003). Investment in body image and psychosocial well-being among women treated for early stage breast cancer: Partial replication and extension. Psychology & Health, 18, 1—13.[CrossRef][Web of Science]
  • Reich, J.W., Zautra, A.J., & Hill, J. (1987). Activity, event transactions, and quality of life in older adults. Psychology and Aging, 2, 116—124.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Rini, C., Manne, S., DuHammel, K.N., Austin, J., Ostroff, J., Boulard, F. et al. (2004). Mothers' perception of benefit following pediatric stem cell transplantation: A longitudinal investigation of the roles of optimism, medical risk, and sociodemographic resources. Annals of Behavioural Medicine, 28, 132—141.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Salmon, P., Manzi, F., & Valori, R.M. (1996). Measuring the meaning of life for patients with incurable cancer: The Life Evaluation Questionnaire (LEQ). European Journal of Cancer, 32A, 750—760.
  • Scheier, M.F., Carver, C.S., & Bridges, M.W. (1994). Distinguishing optimism from neuroticism (and trait anxiety, self-mastery, and self-esteem): A re-evaluation of the Life Orientation Test. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67, 1063—1078.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Schroevers, M.J., Ranchor, A.V., & Sanderman, R. (2004). The role of age at the onset of cancer in relation to survivors' long-term adjustment: A controlled comparison over an eight-year period. Psycho-Oncology, 13, 740—752.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Sears, R.S., Stanton, A.L., & Danoff-Burg, S. (2003). The yellow brick road and the Emerald City: Benefit finding, positive reappraisal coping, and posttraumatic growth in women with early-stage breast cancer. Health Psychology, 22, 487—497.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Sommer, G., & Fydrich, T. (1989). Soziale Unterstützung: Diagnostik, Konzepte, F-SOZU [Social support: Diagnostics, concepts, F-SOZU]. Tübingen: DGVT.
  • Spiegel, D. (1993). Living beyond limits. New York: Ballantine Books.
  • Stanton, A.L., Danoff-Burg, S., Sworowski, L.A., Collins, C.A., Branstetter, A.D., Rodriguez-Hanley, A. et al. (2002). Randomized, controlled trial of written emotional expression and benefit finding in breast cancer patients. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 20, 4160—4168.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  • Stewart, D.E., Wong, F., Duff, S., Melancon, C.H., & Cheung, A.M. (2001). `What doesn't kill you makes you stronger': An ovarian cancer survivor survey. Gynecologic Oncology, 83, 537—542.
  • Taylor, S.E. (1983). Adjustment to threatening events: A theory of cognitive adaptation. American Psychologist, 38, 1161—1173.[CrossRef]
  • Tedeschi, R.G., & Calhoun, L.G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 15, 1—18.[CrossRef][Web of Science]
  • Tedeschi, R.G., Park, C.L., & Calhoun, L.G. (1998). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual issues. In R. G. Tedeschi, C. L. Park, & L. G. Calhoun (Eds.), Posttraumatic growth: Positive changes in the aftermath of crisis (pp. 1—22). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
  • Tempelaar, R., deHaes, J.C., de Ruiter, J.H., Bakker, D., van den Heuvel, W.J., & van den Nieuwenhuijzen, M.G. (1989). The social experiences of cancer patients under treatment: A comparative study. Social Science and Medicine, 29, 635—642.[CrossRef]
  • Thornton, A.A. (2002). Perceiving benefits in the cancer experience. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 9, 153—165.[CrossRef][Web of Science]
  • Tomich, P.L., & Helgeson, V.S. (2002). Five years later: A cross-sectional comparison of breast cancer survivors with healthy women. Psycho-Oncology, 11, 154—169.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Tomich, P.L., & Helgeson, V.S. (2004). Is finding something good in the bad always good? Benefit finding among women with breast cancer. Health Psychology, 23, 16—23.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Urcuyo, K.R., Boyers, A.E., Carver, C.S., & Antoni, M.H. (2005). Finding benefit in breast cancer: Relations with personality, coping, and concurrent well-being. Psychology & Health, 20, 175—192.[CrossRef]
  • Van't Spijker, A., Trijsburg, R.W., & Duivenvoorden, H.J. (1997). Psychological sequelae of cancer diagnosis: A meta-analytical review of 58 studies after 1980. Psychosomatic Medicine, 59, 280—293.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  • Watson, D., Clark, L.A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54, 1063—1070.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Weiss, T. (2004). Correlates of posttraumatic growth in married breast cancer survivors. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23, 733—746.[CrossRef][Web of Science]
  • Widows, M.R., Jacobsen, P.B., Booth-Jones, M., & Fields, K.K. (2005). Predictors of posttraumatic growth following bone marrow transplantation for cancer. Health Psychology, 24, 266—273.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • Winter, L., Lawton, M.P., Casten, R.J., & Sando, R.L. (2000). The relationship between external events and affect states in older people. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 50, 85—96.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
  • World Health Organization. (1979). WHO handbook for reporting results of cancer treatment. Geneva: WHO.

Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 12, No. 6, 907-921 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1359105307082454
Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Complore Complore   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati   Add to Twitter Twitter    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J Health PsycholHome page
O. Bozo, E. Gundogdu, and C. Buyukasik-Colak
The Moderating Role of Different Sources of Perceived Social Support on the Dispositional Optimism-- Posttraumatic Growth Relationship in Postoperative Breast Cancer Patients
J Health Psychol, October 1, 2009; 14(7): 1009 - 1020.
[Abstract] [PDF]

This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Request Reprints
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Web of Science (1)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Right arrow Citing Articles via Scopus
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Pinquart, M.
Right arrow Articles by Silbereisen, R. K.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Pinquart, M.
Right arrow Articles by Silbereisen, R. K.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Complore   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati   Add to Twitter  
What's this?