Illness perception clusters at diagnosis predict psychological distress among women with breast cancer at 6 months post diagnosis

Psychooncology. 2013 Mar;22(3):692-8. doi: 10.1002/pon.3054. Epub 2012 Mar 4.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the extent to which illness perceptions and coping strategies among women diagnosed with breast cancer explain psychological distress at diagnosis and at 6 months post diagnosis relative to demographic and illness-related variables.

Methods: Women were recruited to the study shortly after diagnosis. A total of 90 women completed study materials (Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised, the Cancer Coping Questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) at time 1. The same questionnaires were sent approximately 6 months later to those who had consented at time 1, and completed questionnaires were returned by 72 women.

Results: Cluster analysis was used to identify groups of respondents who reported a similar profile of illness perception scores. Regression analysis demonstrated that one of these clusters was more likely to experience psychological distress than the other both at diagnosis and at 6 months post diagnosis. Illness perception cluster membership and positive focus type coping were the most important and consistent predictors of lower psychological distress at diagnosis and at 6 months post diagnosis.

Conclusions: Illness perceptions remained relatively stable over the study period, and therefore we are unable to clarify whether changes in illness cognitions are associated with a corresponding change in psychological symptoms. Future research should evaluate the impact on psychological distress of interventions specifically designed to modify illness cognitions among women with breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Aged
  • Anxiety / psychology*
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Depression / psychology*
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Perception*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires