Context moderates illness‐induced lifestyle disruptions across life domains: a test of the illness intrusiveness theoretical framework in six common cancers

Abstract

The illness intrusiveness theoretical framework maintains that illness-induced lifestyle disruptions compromise quality of life in chronic life-threatening conditions and that this effect is moderated by social, psychological, and contextual factors. Considerable evidence indicates that lifestyle disruptions compromise quality of life in cancer and other diseases and that the effects differ across life domains. The hypothesis that contextual factors (e.g. age, education, income, stressful life events) moderate these effects has not been tested extensively. We investigated whether age, income, education, and/or recent stressful life events modify the experience of illness intrusiveness across three central life domains (Relationships and Personal Development, Intimacy, and Instrumental life) in six common cancers. A sample of 656 cancer outpatients with one of six common cancers (breast, prostate, lymphoma, lung, head and neck, and gastrointestinal, all n's>100) completed the Illness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale while awaiting follow-up appointments with an oncologist. Results indicated statistically significant (all p's<0.05) interactions involving each of the hypothesized moderator variables and the Life Domain factor. In each case, greatest divergence was evident when illness intrusiveness involved instrumental life domains (e.g. work, finances, health, and active recreation). The findings substantiate the illness intrusiveness theoretical framework and support its relevance for people with cancer. The psychosocial impact of chronic life-threatening disease differs across life domains and depends on the context in which it is experienced.

The influence of developmental life stage on quality of life in survivors of prostate cancer and their partners

“…Results of this study suggest that older men who are experiencing physical decline as a result of aging may find it difficult to manage the additional burden of a prostate cancer treatment regimen, which may affect not only their physical quality of life but also their mental quality of life. The lower physical quality of life reported by patients in the old-old group in this study is consistent with findings from other studies of older prostate cancer patients [11,34,62,63].…”

“…Research has shown that younger individuals (under 65) compared to older individuals diagnosed with cancer are at higher risk for psychological problems [9]. In addition, younger individuals with cancer have lower quality of life [10] and more life disruption [11]. Older individuals, however, are at increased risk of functional disability [12,13] and greater risk of developing cognitive changes [14].…”

Relationships of anxiety and depressive symptoms with pain perception in post-mastectomy women. An intragroup analysis

“…The connection between illness intrusiveness and exacerbation of depressive symptoms, regardless of age, physical disability, severity of the disease, current condition or contextual variables, is emphasized in many studies 12,13,25 and appears important in psychoeducational approach to this group of patients.…”

“…pain, disability) and treatment (medication and treatment side effects), but to the psychosocial context as well. Intrusiveness is considered to be a fundamental determinant in the quality of life in patients with chronic conditions 12,13 .…”

An Examination of Moderators of Perceived Stress and Illness Behavior

“…The impact of stress on illness has been found to vary based on the presence of certain psychosocial factors as well, including social support, emotional states, and coping skills (Cohen, Kessler, & Gordon, 1995;Cohen & Wills, 1985;Moos & Schaefer, 1993). Recent research has focused on examining the impact of stress on the experience of specific illnesses or diseases via psychosocial factors (e.g., Devins, Bezjak, Mah, Loblaw, & Gotoweic, 2006;Gerber & Puhse, 2008).…”