Illness perceptions as predictors of posttraumatic stress symptoms in cancer: A longitudinal study

This longitudinal study was a secondary analysis of data from 569 cancer survivors (M_age = 59.2, SD = 11.48), diagnosed with breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. The associations between three dimensions of illness perceptions-perceived consequences, perceived control and perceived timeline, measured at baseline (T1), and symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTSS) assessed at 6 months (T2) and 12 months (T3), were examined using multiple linear regressions. Higher perceived consequences at T1 were significantly associated with increases in PTSS at T2 and T3. Higher perceived control at T1 was also significantly associated with reductions in PTSS at T3 but not at T2. Perceived timeline at T1 was not associated with changes in PTSS at T2 or T3. The findings suggest that beliefs about consequences and control may play significant roles in both short- and long-term psychological adjustment among adult cancer survivors.