Dispositional Optimism as a Predictor of Men's Decision-Related Distress After Localized Prostate Cancer
Author(s)
Steginga, SK
Occhipinti, S
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2006
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This study investigated prospectively the relationship between optimism, threat appraisal, seeking support and information, cognitive avoidance, physical treatment side effects, and decision-related distress in 111 men with localized prostate cancer. Men were assessed at diagnosis and 2 and 12 months after treatment. Baseline decision-related distress predicted distress 2 and 12 months after treatment. Optimism was a significant prospective and concurrent predictor of decision-related distress, with the effect mediated by proximal cancer threat appraisal. Seeking support and information and cognitive avoidance were not ...
View more >This study investigated prospectively the relationship between optimism, threat appraisal, seeking support and information, cognitive avoidance, physical treatment side effects, and decision-related distress in 111 men with localized prostate cancer. Men were assessed at diagnosis and 2 and 12 months after treatment. Baseline decision-related distress predicted distress 2 and 12 months after treatment. Optimism was a significant prospective and concurrent predictor of decision-related distress, with the effect mediated by proximal cancer threat appraisal. Seeking support and information and cognitive avoidance were not associated with decision-related distress at any time point. For physical treatment side effects, concurrent urinary symptoms were predictive of decision-related distress 2 months after treatment. Results suggest that decision-related distress is generated by similar processes to that of the psychological distress that follows a cancer diagnosis. Screening for men with high decision-related distress for referral to in-depth decision support is suggested. Outcome expectations may present as a therapy target to increase the effectiveness of decisional support that is utility based.
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View more >This study investigated prospectively the relationship between optimism, threat appraisal, seeking support and information, cognitive avoidance, physical treatment side effects, and decision-related distress in 111 men with localized prostate cancer. Men were assessed at diagnosis and 2 and 12 months after treatment. Baseline decision-related distress predicted distress 2 and 12 months after treatment. Optimism was a significant prospective and concurrent predictor of decision-related distress, with the effect mediated by proximal cancer threat appraisal. Seeking support and information and cognitive avoidance were not associated with decision-related distress at any time point. For physical treatment side effects, concurrent urinary symptoms were predictive of decision-related distress 2 months after treatment. Results suggest that decision-related distress is generated by similar processes to that of the psychological distress that follows a cancer diagnosis. Screening for men with high decision-related distress for referral to in-depth decision support is suggested. Outcome expectations may present as a therapy target to increase the effectiveness of decisional support that is utility based.
View less >
Journal Title
Health Psychology
Volume
25
Issue
2
Publisher URI
Copyright Statement
© 2006 American Psychological Association. This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the APA journal. It is not the copy of record.
Subject
Biomedical and clinical sciences
Education
Psychology