Factors Influencing Posttraumatic Growth in Survivors of Breast Cancer

Abstract

Purpose: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is defined as 'positive psychological change experienced as a result of a struggle with highly challenging life circumstances'. The purpose of this study was to identify the level of PTG and its correlates in Korean patients with breast cancer. Methods: A sample of 120 participants was recruited from outpatients, who had successfully completed primary treatment of breast cancer at a university hospital., Data were collected from June to December, 2014 using Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, lllness Intrusiveness Rating Scale, Cancer Coping Questionnaire, Revised Life Orientation Test and The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results: Total score for the PTG was 79.18±17.54 in patients surviving breast cancer. Bivariate analyses indicated that PTG was positively associated with having a religion, perceived social support, greater optimism, cancer coping, and illness intrusiveness. Results of the regression analysis showed that cancer coping (ß=.29, p =.001), optimism (ß=0.28, p =.001) and illness intrusiveness (ß=0.17, p =.037) were statistically significant in patients' PTG. Conclusion: The research findings show that the variables of cancer coping, optimism and illness intrusiveness significantly explain PTG and these psychological variables can be used to provide improvement in PTG for patients with breast cancer. If the original work is properly cited and retained without any modification or reproduction, it can be used and re-distributed in any format and medium.

The relationship between cancer‐related worry and posttraumatic growth in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors

“…Additionally, given the screening recommendations proposed in the Standards for Psychosocial Care of Children with Cancer and Their Families, and the documented relationship between cancer‐related worry and adverse psychosocial outcomes among cancer survivors, it is important to incorporate assessment of cancer‐related worry into routine psychosocial screening for AYA survivors. Similarly, future research should examine the role of other variables that have been linked to posttraumatic growth in other populations of cancer patients and survivors, such as resilience, social support, and optimism …”

“…Therefore, it is important to examine the processes that contribute to the development of posttraumatic growth in cancer survivors, particularly individuals diagnosed during adolescence or young adulthood. Posttraumatic growth has been linked to a variety of factors, such as resilience, social support, and optimism . However, Tedeschi and Calhoun theorized that distress following trauma is the primary driver of posttraumatic growth because posttraumatic growth results from psychological processing that occurs during distressed rumination about a highly negative life event .…”

“…Posttraumatic growth has been linked to a variety of factors, such as resilience, social support, and optimism. [14][15][16][17] However, Tedeschi and Calhoun theorized that distress following trauma is the primary driver of posttraumatic growth because posttraumatic growth results from psychological processing that occurs during distressed rumination about a highly negative life event. 7 They propose that posttraumatic growth develops as individuals attempt to manage their distress and adapt to new circumstances created by the traumatic event.…”

Factors Influencing Posttraumatic Growth in Cancer Survivors

“…5) 최근 암 진단과 치료 과정에서 빈번하게 나타나는 외상 후 스트 레스와 같은 부정적인 결과를 연구하는 과정에서, 암 경험이 부정 적 결과만을 초래하는 것이 아니라는 사실이 밝혀졌다. 6 11,12) 연 구결과가 일관되지 않는다는 제한점이 있다. 한편 심리사회적 요인 으로 사회적 지지, 반추, 대처, 회복탄력성, 자아존중감 등이 외상 후 성장의 영향요인으로 보고되고 있다.…”

“…한편 심리사회적 요인 으로 사회적 지지, 반추, 대처, 회복탄력성, 자아존중감 등이 외상 후 성장의 영향요인으로 보고되고 있다. [11][12][13][14][15][16] 사회적 지지는 암 생존 자의 외상 후 성장에 강력하게 영향을 미치는 요인으로 많은 연구 에서 입증되었다. 11,13) 8) 이후 많은 연구에서 반추가 외상 후 성장의 주요 영향요인으로 나타났다.…”