Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2025

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat
Published on: September 12, 2014
Death anxiety as general factor to fear of cancer recurrence
Pia Berlin1, Pia von Blanckenburg1
1Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
Objective:
Fear of cancer recurrence or progress is strongly related to death anxiety (DA) in cancer patients, but due to lack of conceptualization and measurement methods, the relationship was not analyzed quantitatively before. The aim of the present study was to investigate the conceptual relationship of both constructs, with DA expected to be the general construct.
Methods:
Cancer patients (N = 121) participated in an online study. They provided information on socio-demographical, medical and psychological measures including DA and fear of cancer recurrence or progression (FoP-Q-SF). Relation of constructs was assessed using a two-step process: Confirming individual construct structure with confirmatory factor analysis, including correlation of constructs and modification of measurement model, followed by structural equation modeling and comparison of structure models for best model fit.
Results:
The measurement model was modified to include three residual correlations within and between constructs. Comparison of structure models supported a bifactor structure with DA as general factor and fear of recurrence or progression as group factor: SBχ2 (173) = 207.74 (p < 0.05), SB = 1.538, relative χ2 = 1.2, rRMSEA = 0.05 [0.01, 0.07] (p > 0.05), SRMR = 0.07, CFI = 0.94, AIC = 7543.60.
Conclusions:
DA can be interpreted as general factor to fear of cancer recurrence or progression. Psychological interventions to reduce emotional burden of cancer patients need to focus additionally on existential threat and individual fears regarding DA.
More Related Videos
07:47Author Spotlight: Unveiling Transmembrane Protein Family-Related Markers in Gastric Cancer and Implications for Targeted Therapies
Published on: September 15, 2023
06:46Competing-Risk Nomogram for Predicting Cancer-Specific Survival in Multiple Primary Colorectal Cancer Patients after Surgery
Published on: September 27, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Anxiety: Overview
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Cancer Prevention
Some...
Cancer Survival Analysis
Cancer