Causal attributions, coping strategies and fear of recurrence in lymphoma survivors
Description
TitleCausal attributions, coping strategies and fear of recurrence in lymphoma survivors
Date Created2019
Other Date2019-10 (degree)
Extent1 online resource (vii, 58 pages) : illustrations
DescriptionSurvivorship is defined as the period between termination of active cancer treatment and recurrence or death. With early detection, treatment advances, and an aging population, the number of cancer survivors is quickly increasing. Amongst survivors a common, chronic, and burdensome challenge is managing fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), worry that cancer will return. The current study examined the relationship between important factors of adjustment in survivorship, causal attributions, coping strategies, and FCR. Data was collected for a lymphoma survivorship trial at four major cancer centers (N=142). Standardized measures were collected at baseline, six and 12-months, in combination with a qualitative interview at six-months. Consistent with hypotheses that modifiable causal attributions suggest targets for control, survivors who identified modifiable causes of cancer reported significantly more total coping strategies, and more coping directly aligned with the cause. FCR significantly decreased from baseline to 12-month follow-up. As hypothesized, high levels of FCR at baseline were associated with higher reported coping at six-months. Additionally, evidence suggested that across all time points FCR was greater in those with high total coping reported at six-months. However, the study did not find that reported coping at six-months was associated with a reduction in FCR over time. Finally, post hoc analysis revealed key differences in coping and the relationship with FCR over time for those who attributed stress as the cause of their cancer. This study contributes to the growing literature on cancer survivorship and deepens our understanding of FCR, coping, and causal attributions. These findings have important implications for understanding how cancer survivors view cause of their illness and how cause relates to coping. Lastly, this study adds to the current understanding of the relationship between FCR and coping in early survivorship.
NotePh.D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Genretheses, ETD doctoral
LanguageEnglish
CollectionSchool of Graduate Studies Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.