Mediating role of coping in the dispositional optimism-posttraumatic growth relation in breast cancer patients

J Psychol. 2012 Sep-Oct;146(5):471-83. doi: 10.1080/00223980.2012.654520.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine if coping strategies mediate dispositional optimism-posttraumatic growth relation in postoperative breast cancer patients. The data were collected from 90 patients in two hospitals. Regression analyses revealed that problem-focused coping fully mediated dispositional optimism-posttraumatic growth relation, but emotion-focused coping did not. That is, postoperative breast cancer patients who were optimistic were more likely to use problem-focused coping strategies that, in turn, led to the development of posttraumatic growth. The findings were congruent with the literature in which problem-focused coping was mostly highlighted as compared to emotion-focused coping, and in which optimism and problem-focused coping relationship was emphasized in the path of posttraumatic growth.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological / physiology*
  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Personality / physiology*
  • Problem Solving / physiology*
  • Psychological Tests
  • Regression Analysis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*