Causal attribution, perceived control, and adjustment in patients with lung cancer

The relationships among causal attribution, perceived control, and adjustment to lung cancer were examined in 61 outpatients who had received a diagnosis of primary lung cancer. Data were collected using a structured interview and a self-report questionnaire. Both internal and external causal attributions were significantly positively correlated with perceived control. The relationship between internal causal attribution and perceived control was stronger. No significant relationships were found between perceived control and adjustment, although both internal and external causal attributions were significantly negatively correlated with aspects of adjustment. Recommendations are made for future research.