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Cognitive appraisals in cancer patients
1Department of Psychology, Indiana University, Bloomington 47405.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Cancer coping strategies were explored through patient interviews. Cognitive appraisals, like perceived life threat, personal control, and chance-control, modestly predicted adjustment in cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Oncology
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Cancer presents significant psychological challenges for patients.
- Effective coping mechanisms are crucial for patient adjustment and well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between cognitive appraisals and adjustment in cancer patients.
- To investigate how different appraisal strategies influence coping with cancer.
Main Methods:
- Correlational design utilizing interviews with outpatient cancer subjects.
- Appraisals were assessed based on Lazarus' (1980) model of coping.
- Key variables included primary appraisal (life threat) and secondary appraisals (control types).
Main Results:
- Perceived life threat (primary appraisal) was negatively associated with adjustment.
- Perceived personal control, God-control, and chance-control (secondary appraisals) correlated with adjustment.
- Perceived control over emotional reactions also emerged as a correlate of adjustment.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive appraisal processes significantly influence how cancer patients adjust.
- Specific appraisal strategies, particularly those involving control, are linked to better adjustment outcomes.
- Cognitive appraisals serve as modest but important predictors of adjustment in cancer survivorship.