Biobehavioral Pathways and Cancer Progression: Insights for Improving Well-Being and Cancer Outcomes

Chang, Aeson; Sloan, Erica K.; Antoni, Michael H.; Knight, Jennifer M.; Telles, Rachel; Lutgendorf, Susan K.

doi:10.1177/15347354221096081

Cited by 29 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 299 publications

(496 reference statements)

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“…Based on the results of multivariable regression analysis, GSI can be considered an independent determinant of QoL in patients with advanced cancer and pain. It is apparent that the disease process can activate multiple physiological and psychological mechanisms that lead to a wide range of psychological distress symptoms (Lutgendorf and Sood, 2011;Chang et al, 2022). Anxiety about the worsening of the disease and the experience of pain may generate generalized disruption of the balance, with a combination of physical and psychological responses, effected via complex mechanisms (Hyphantis et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The WHOQOL-BREF instrument: Psychometric evaluation of the Greek version in patients with advanced cancer and pain and associations with psychological distress

et al. 2022

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Objectives Assessment of the psychometric characteristics of the Greek version of the brief World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) in patients with advanced cancer and pain, and exploration of the association between psychological distress and quality of life (QoL). Method The sample consisted of 145 patients with advanced cancer and pain who completed the WHOQOL-BREF, the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), and the Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). In analysis, the following methods were used: Cronbach's alpha, Item Response Theory (IRT), polychoric, Pearson and polyserial correlation, t-test, and Linear regression. Results The internal consistency was high for all domains of the WHOQOL-BREF (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.731). Similarly, with the exception of three items, the WHOQOL-BREF items has large discrimination parameters suggesting that they have a high ability in differentiating subjects. On SCL-90, the three dimensions with the highest scores were Depression, Somatization, and Anxiety. The overall score for psychological distress, the Global Severity Index (GSI), showed significant negative association with all the WHOQOL-BREF factor scores (Physical Health: B = −1.488, p < 0.001, Psychological Health: B = −1.688, p < 0.001, Social Relationships: B = −0.910, p < 0.001, Environment: B = −1.064, p < 0.001). Male gender was associated with lower scores for Social Relationships (B = −0.358, p = 0.007) and Environment (B = −0.293, p = 0.026). Significance of results The Greek version of the WHOQOL-BREF showed good psychometric properties in patients with advanced cancer and can be used as a reliable instrument in clinical practice. The level of psychological distress can be considered a determinant of QoL in patients with advanced cancer and pain, independently of pain intensity or other clinical characteristics. In cancer, the disease process can activate multiple physiological and psychological mechanisms that lead to a wide range of symptoms of psychological distress. To improve their QoL, psychological intervention focused on the identification and alleviation of psychological distress in patients with advanced cancer, and help in finding meaning in their experience, should be provided.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The WHOQOL-BREF instrument: Psychometric evaluation of the Greek version in patients with advanced cancer and pain and associations with psychological distress

et al. 2022

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“…It is well known that stress impairs the proper functioning of the immune system and increases the risk of disease [ 20 , 21 ]. Moreover, stress-related psychosocial factors decrease survival rates and thus increase mortality in cancer patients [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Finally, the pandemic emergency required the redistribution of most available healthcare resources for the treatment of COVID-19-positive patients, which in several cases has led to a reduction in direct contact with healthcare workers, exacerbating the lack of social support among patients [ 25 ] and increasing stress among healthcare workers themselves [ 26 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological Distress in Breast Cancer Patients during the Italian COVID-19 Pandemic

Stanizzo

Castelli

Nardo

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Background. The emergency caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic exacerbated psychological distress. Our aim was to investigate the impact of breast cancer on patients’ lives during the Italian lockdown. Methods. Sixty-five female breast cancer patients were studied, assessing the level of psychological distress with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the impact of the cancer diagnosis (Impact of Event Scale-Revised—IES—R). In addition, we compared these data with a matched group of breast cancer patients enrolled in 2019. Results. Patients enrolled in 2020 had statistically higher levels of anxious symptomatology and higher levels of traumatic symptomatology due to the cancer diagnosis. A mediation analysis was performed to determine how the experience of distress due to COVID-19 negatively impacted the level of anxiety and amplified the impact of the diagnosis with a significant increase in traumatic symptoms. Conclusions. Considering the vulnerability of these patients and the serious and novel situation that the healthcare system is currently facing, we would like to point out the importance of structured and organised psychological support for these patients.

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“…In the context of the current paper, there is a wealth of research and clinical material to help ‘give patients voice lessons’ (Frank, 1995 ), with empirical work supporting the use of health humanities in care for persons with chronic somatic illnesses. Theory of Mind (ToM; Kidd & Castano, 2013 ) and PNI (psychoneuroimmunology; Antoni & Dhabhar, 2019 ; Chang et al, 2022 ) are suggested as two theoretical contexts for HH. A study by Fancourt and Steptoe ( 2019 ) offers additional theoretical and empirical embedding of HH (see also Stephens, 2011 ).…”

Section: Behaviour As the Central Outcome In Health Care (Kaplan ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Torn between two lovers – on being a psychologist in a university medical centre

Kaptein

2023

Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine

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Background: Psychology as applied to health and illness has a relatively short history. Nevertheless, that history shows a rapid development of the theoretical models that guide the field over the past 60 years. Core theoretical approaches are concisely reviewed, in the context of Kaplan’s paper ‘Behavior as the central outcome in health care’ (1990), which is used as a model to examine the extent to which these approaches embrace Kaplan’s notions. Advances: Empirical studies from the health psychology domain are used, which demonstrate the gains in terms of quality of life and behavioural outcomes in patients with (chronic) somatic diseases. Over a period of some 60 years, theoretical models and core concepts in psychology as applied to health and illness have evolved from psychosomatic views to neuropsychology, quality of life, patient education, self-management, illness perceptions, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), shared decision-making (SDM) and health humanities (HH). The more recent models (SDM, HH) appear to align to a considerable degree with adopting ‘behavior as the central outcome an outcome in health care’; shared decision-making and health humanities focus on encouraging patients to make sense of and give meaning to their illness in order to attain optimal psychosocial adjustment. Conclusions: In addition to ‘behavior as the central outcome in health care’, a new definition of the concept of health (i.e. ‘the ability to adapt and to self-manage’ – Huber et al., 2011) seems to favour patients, healthcare providers, society, and health psychology. Incorporating this concept into medical care may be viewed as a challenge for health psychologists – and as a source of continual struggle with strong biomedical forces.

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Biobehavioral Pathways and Cancer Progression: Insights for Improving Well-Being and Cancer Outcomes

Cited by 29 publications

References 299 publications

The WHOQOL-BREF instrument: Psychometric evaluation of the Greek version in patients with advanced cancer and pain and associations with psychological distress

The WHOQOL-BREF instrument: Psychometric evaluation of the Greek version in patients with advanced cancer and pain and associations with psychological distress

Psychological Distress in Breast Cancer Patients during the Italian COVID-19 Pandemic

Torn between two lovers – on being a psychologist in a university medical centre

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