Post-traumatic Growth in Breast Cancer Survivors: New Insights into its Relationships with Well-Being and Distress

Abstract

Research investigating possible relations between Post-traumatic growth (PTG) and clinical indexes--such as psychosocial distress, physical and psychological well-being--is lacking in medical settings. The aim of this study was to look into such relationships in breast cancer survivors (Bcs) and in healthy control subjects who experienced other stressful events. Sixty Bcs and 60 healthy women reporting other stressful events were compared according to the following scales: Post-traumatic Growth Inventory, Psychological Well-being Scales (PWB), Symptom Questionnaire and Psychosocial Index. Bcs reported significantly higher levels of PTG and distress, and lower levels of PWB compared to healthy women. Bcs with high levels of PTG showed increased levels of physical well-being and decreased distress. Healthy women under stressful circumstances reporting high levels of PTG showed increased levels of PWB. PTG levels were higher in Bcs and associated with decreased psychological distress and somatisation. These results carry important implications for clinical assessment, as well as for planning interventions to improve well-being and resilience in oncology.

Positive mental health among cancer survivors: overlap in psychological well-being, personal meaning, and posttraumatic growth

“…Not surprisingly, the overlap between psychological wellbeing, meaning, and posttraumatic growth is reflected in medium to strong correlations between these constructs in cancer survivors [11,19,20], although correlations with posttraumatic growth tend to be lower [11,[21][22][23][24]. Furthermore, the overlap is noticeable when these constructs are operationalized into measurement instruments.…”

Mixed Psychological Changes Following Mastectomy: Unique Predictors and Heterogeneity of Post-traumatic Growth and Post-traumatic Depreciation

“…However, an accumulating body of evidence indicated that positive psychological effects may also occur during or after BC treatment (Sears et al, 2003; Bozo et al, 2009; Chan et al, 2011; Danhauer et al, 2013; Ruini et al, 2013; McDonough et al, 2014; Soo and Sherman, 2015). These positive changes, which are considered to be the result of coping with a traumatic event, are labeled as ‘PTG’ (Tedeschi and Calhoun, 2004).…”

“…These positive changes, which are considered to be the result of coping with a traumatic event, are labeled as ‘PTG’ (Tedeschi and Calhoun, 2004). Data on the relationship between PTG and other well-being measures remain inconsistent (Sumalla et al, 2009; Ruini et al, 2013; Soo and Sherman, 2015). A recent meta-analysis of cancer patients revealed weak negative associations between PTG and depression and distress, weak positive associations with optimism, and no correlation with anxiety or physical quality of life (Shand et al, 2015), which calls into question the status of PTG: it remains unclear whether PTG and psychopathology constitute two ends of the same continuum or whether it is unrelated to adjustment.…”

Use of the Psychosocial Index: A Sensitive Tool in Research and Practice

“…- Breast cancer survivors showed significantly higher levels of PSI psychological distress as compared to healthy controls reporting negative events other than cancer [41]. In addition, breast cancer survivors with a high posttraumatic growth score reported significantly less psychological distress compared to those with a low score.…”