Neuroticism and responses to social comparison among cancer patients

The present study examined how the effects of three audiotapes containig different types of social comparison information on the mood of cancer patients depended on the level of neuroticism. On the procedural tape, a man and woman discussed the process of radiation therapy, on the emotion tape, they focussed on emotional reactions to their illness and treatment, while on the coping tape they focussed on the way they had been coping. A validation study among 115 students showed that the tapes were perceived as they were intended. The main study was conducted among 226 patients who were about to undergo radiation therapy. Compared to patients in the control group, as patients were higher in neuroticism, they reported less negative mood after listening to the procedural and the coping tape. Furthermore, as patients were higher in neuroticism, they reported less negative mood after listening to the coping tape than to the emotion tape. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Psychological functioning in cancer patients treated with radiotherapy

Although many side-effects of radiotherapy (RT) are physical, previous studies have shown that patients, when treated with RT, also experience psychological problems. This review describes the psychological functioning of cancer patients prior to, during, and after RT. Moreover, we examined whether medical factors are related to psychological functioning. Using Medline and Psychlit databases over the period 1980-2002, 45 articles were studied for this review. Although some global trends were found, studies revealed great variability in psychological functioning prior to, during, and after RT. Longitudinal studies should include pre-, during, and post-RT assessments of psychological functioning and also take into account the previous psychological stability of the patient. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Follow-up effects of social comparison information on the quality of life of cancer patients: The moderating role of social comparison orientation

Objective: To examine how social comparison orientation (SCO) moderates the effects of three types of social comparison information on the global quality of life of cancer patients 2 weeks and 3 months later. Design: Cancer patients (n=226) were provided with social comparison information just prior to undergoing radiation therapy, using audiotapes. Each participant was confronted with one of three tapes: (1) focusing on procedural aspects, (2) focusing on emotional reactions and (3) focusing on coping strategies. Main outcome measures: Quality of life as measured with the Cantril self-anchoring scale [Cantril, H. (1965). The pattern of human concerns. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press]. Results: With increasing SCO, a lower quality of life was reported after listening to the emotion tape, while a higher quality of life was reported after listening to the coping tape. These effects were found 2 weeks as well as 3 months after the radiation therapy had ended. Conclusion: Social comparison information may have longitudinal effects on quality of life, but these effects are to an important extent dependent on the nature of the information and individual differences in SCO

Cognitive adaptation: a comparison of cancer patients and healthy references

OBJECTIVES: Taylor's theory of cognitive adaptation proposes that adjustment depends on the ability to sustain and modify illusions (i.e. unrealistic optimism, exaggerated perceptions of control, and self-aggrandizement) that buffer against threats but also against possible future setbacks. Because the question of whether cancer patients show these illusions has received little attention, the present study compared patients' perceptions of optimism, control, and self-esteem at different stages of the cancer process with that of healthy references. The effects of these perceptions on psychological distress were also assessed. DESIGN: The present study has a longitudinal design. Including a group of healthy references enabled us to draw more firm conclusions about the effect of cancer upon cognitive perceptions. METHODS: The participants were 67 cancer patients and 50 healthy references. Patients filled out questionnaires prior to their first radiotherapy (T1), at 2 weeks (T2), and at 3 months (T3) after completing radiotherapy. Healthy references were assessed at similar intervals. RESULTS: T tests revealed that patients experienced significantly higher levels of optimism and self-esteem than the healthy reference group. Concerning control, no group differences were found. Importantly, regression analyses showed that lower levels of optimism and control at T1 were predictive of feelings of anxiety at T3. Lower perceived control also predicted depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Results support the theory of cognitive adaptation in that patients are indeed able to respond to cancer with high levels of optimism and self-esteem and that lower levels of optimism and control are predictive of psychological distress

Audiotaped social comparison information for cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: differential effects of procedural, emotional and coping information

The present study focused on the effects of social comparison information on subjective understanding of radiation therapy, validation of emotions, and self-efficacy of cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. The effects of three different audiotapes, containing different kinds of social comparison information, were examined. On the procedural tape a man and woman discussed their illness and radiation treatment, on the emotion tape they focused on the emotional aspects of these issues, and on the coping tape they focused on the way they had been coping. The effects of these tapes were measured on subjective understanding about radiation therapy, validation and recognition of emotions, self-efficacy, and mood. The results indicate positive effects of the tapes, especially of the procedural and the coping tape. These audiotapes increased understanding of radiation therapy, self-efficacy and the feeling of validation of emotions. Therefore, these tapes may be an important supplement to existing patient education information. Possible explanations and practical implications are discussed.