The possibility of breast cancer recurrence: Coping with perceived threats.
Item
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Title
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The possibility of breast cancer recurrence: Coping with perceived threats.
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Identifier
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AAI9969741
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identifier
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9969741
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Creator
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Vickberg, Suzanne Marie Johnson.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Tracey A. Revenson
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Date
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2000
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Clinical | Women's Studies | Health Sciences, Oncology
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Abstract
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Previous research has identified fears about recurrence as the number one concern of women with breast cancer. The current study is an in depth-examination of women's fears about the possibility of breast cancer recurrence. First, a pilot study was conducted in which sixteen women participated in semi-structured interviews about their thoughts and feelings regarding the possibility of breast cancer recurrence. Then, one-hundred-sixty-nine women with breast cancer completed a questionnaire assessing fears about recurrence, perceived risk of recurrence, perceived control over recurrence, ongoing consequences of their initial diagnosis (i.e., physical and psychosocial effects of the breast cancer), overall psychological adjustment, strategies used to cope with fears about recurrence, and influential life circumstances.;There was a wide range in terms of how much women feared the possibility of recurrence. Fears about death and health (including physical health, emotional health, and further treatment) were most common. Ongoing consequences of the initial diagnosis were the strongest predictors of fears about recurrence, mediating the influence of age, chemotherapy, mastectomy, and perceived risk. Moreover, fears about recurrence were associated with psychological adjustment, even after controlling for background variables, perceived risk, perceived control, and ongoing consequences of the initial diagnosis. Coping played a limited role in adjustment processes. The use of denial as a strategy for coping with fears about recurrence was associated with increased distress while the use of positive reappraisal was associated with increased well-being. Acceptance moderated the relationship of fears about recurrence to reduced well-being---seeming to work as a buffer, particularly when fears revolved around death or health. Finally, women reported many life circumstances (both positive and negative) that they felt influenced their experience with breast cancer and their thoughts about the possibility of recurrence. These circumstances were also associated with psychological adjustment.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
