Perceived injustice and its impact on psychological distress in cancer patients and survivors

Perceived injustice is a novel psychosocial construct that reflects negative cognitive appraisals of unfairness, externalized blame and the irreparability and severity of one's loss. Previous research has highlighted the negative impact of perceived injustice on recovery and mental health outcomes, particularly in pain-related samples. This study aimed to (i) explore the role of perceived injustice on psychological outcomes in a general cancer population and (ii) describe demographic and psychosocial characteristics associated with perceptions of injustice.

The study employed a cross-sectional, observational design. Using a purposive convenience sampling technique, individuals that have or have had cancer completed an online survey assessing perceived injustice (IEQ), psychological distress (HADS), mental adjustment to cancer (Mini-MAC) and satisfaction with care (PSCC) (N = 121).

Levels of perceived injustice were high with 43.2% of the sample scoring in the clinical range. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that perceived injustice contributed unique variance to the prediction of anxiety and depression. Low satisfaction with care, being under the age of 40 and not having children were identified as significant predictors of perceived injustice. Satisfaction with care did not significantly moderate the association between perceived injustice and mental health outcomes but directly impacted anxiety levels.

Cancer patients reporting high levels of perceived injustice are at greater risk of feeling psychologically distressed. Prevention and management of injustice perceptions may require interventions targeting specific negative attributions, as well as cancer care in general. Further implications for healthcare practice are discussed.