Predictors of distress in women with breast cancer: The importance of illness perceptions

Andrea Gibbons; AnnMarie Groarke; Ruth Curtis; Anne Marie Keane

Abstract

Background: The present study assessed the impact of illness perceptions and coping on distress in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods: Women with breast cancer (N =100) completed measures of illness perceptions (IPQ-R), anxiety (STAI), perceived stress (PSS), coping (MAC), and positive and negative affect (PANAS). Findings: Controlling for disease and demographic variables, illness perceptions accounted for 30% of depression, 15% of perceived stress, and 15% of state anxiety. Higher personal control beliefs (p < .05), and a stronger illness identity (p < .01), predicted higher levels of depression. Reporting more serious consequences predicted more perceived stress, whilst having a better understanding of the illness predicted lower anxiety (p < .05). Higher levels of fighting spirit (p < .001), and low levels of fatalistic coping (p < .05) predicted higher positive affect. Discussion: Both illness perceptions and coping should be considered when developing future interventions to reduce distress.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	215
Number of pages	1
Journal	Psychology and Health
Volume	27
Issue number	Suppl 1
Publication status	Published - 2012

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1 Meeting abstract

Perceptions of breast cancer in Irish women: The role of experience in determining illness beliefs.
Gibbons, A., Groarke, A., Curtis, R. & Keane, A. M., 2011, In: Psychology and Health. 26, Suppl 2, p. 130 1 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting abstract › peer-review

Cite this

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title = "Predictors of distress in women with breast cancer: The importance of illness perceptions",

abstract = "Background: The present study assessed the impact of illness perceptions and coping on distress in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods: Women with breast cancer (N =100) completed measures of illness perceptions (IPQ-R), anxiety (STAI), perceived stress (PSS), coping (MAC), and positive and negative affect (PANAS). Findings: Controlling for disease and demographic variables, illness perceptions accounted for 30% of depression, 15% of perceived stress, and 15% of state anxiety. Higher personal control beliefs (p < .05), and a stronger illness identity (p < .01), predicted higher levels of depression. Reporting more serious consequences predicted more perceived stress, whilst having a better understanding of the illness predicted lower anxiety (p < .05). Higher levels of fighting spirit (p < .001), and low levels of fatalistic coping (p < .05) predicted higher positive affect. Discussion: Both illness perceptions and coping should be considered when developing future interventions to reduce distress.",

author = "Andrea Gibbons and AnnMarie Groarke and Ruth Curtis and Keane, {Anne Marie}",

year = "2012",

language = "English",

volume = "27",

pages = "215",

journal = "Psychology and Health",

issn = "0887-0446",

publisher = "Routledge",

number = "Suppl 1",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Predictors of distress in women with breast cancer: The importance of illness perceptions

AU - Gibbons, Andrea

AU - Groarke, AnnMarie

AU - Curtis, Ruth

AU - Keane, Anne Marie

PY - 2012

Y1 - 2012

N2 - Background: The present study assessed the impact of illness perceptions and coping on distress in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods: Women with breast cancer (N =100) completed measures of illness perceptions (IPQ-R), anxiety (STAI), perceived stress (PSS), coping (MAC), and positive and negative affect (PANAS). Findings: Controlling for disease and demographic variables, illness perceptions accounted for 30% of depression, 15% of perceived stress, and 15% of state anxiety. Higher personal control beliefs (p < .05), and a stronger illness identity (p < .01), predicted higher levels of depression. Reporting more serious consequences predicted more perceived stress, whilst having a better understanding of the illness predicted lower anxiety (p < .05). Higher levels of fighting spirit (p < .001), and low levels of fatalistic coping (p < .05) predicted higher positive affect. Discussion: Both illness perceptions and coping should be considered when developing future interventions to reduce distress.

AB - Background: The present study assessed the impact of illness perceptions and coping on distress in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods: Women with breast cancer (N =100) completed measures of illness perceptions (IPQ-R), anxiety (STAI), perceived stress (PSS), coping (MAC), and positive and negative affect (PANAS). Findings: Controlling for disease and demographic variables, illness perceptions accounted for 30% of depression, 15% of perceived stress, and 15% of state anxiety. Higher personal control beliefs (p < .05), and a stronger illness identity (p < .01), predicted higher levels of depression. Reporting more serious consequences predicted more perceived stress, whilst having a better understanding of the illness predicted lower anxiety (p < .05). Higher levels of fighting spirit (p < .001), and low levels of fatalistic coping (p < .05) predicted higher positive affect. Discussion: Both illness perceptions and coping should be considered when developing future interventions to reduce distress.

M3 - Meeting abstract

SN - 0887-0446

VL - 27

SP - 215

JO - Psychology and Health

JF - Psychology and Health

IS - Suppl 1

ER -

Predictors of distress in women with breast cancer: The importance of illness perceptions

Abstract

UN SDGs

Research output

Perceptions of breast cancer in Irish women: The role of experience in determining illness beliefs.

Cite this