Counterfactual thinking and quality of life among women with silicone breast implants

This study examined the relationship of counterfactual thinking (thoughts about how one's current situation might have turned out differently) with psychosocial adjustment and quality of life in a sample of women with silicone breast implants. Seventy-four women who were concerned about or who were experiencing problems with their implants were recruited following magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation. Participants completed measures of counterfactual thinking, psychosocial adjustment, and quality of life (QOL). Results indicated that counterfactual thinking was significantly associated with more psychosocial adjustment difficulties, more perceived implant-related health problems, and poorer QOL in the physical health domain. These findings provide additional insight into the factors that may influence adjustment in a complex and poorly understood population and also have implications for understanding the adjustment process to other types of illnesses.