Cognitive Adaptation Theory and Breast Cancer Recurrence: Are There Limits?

• Published in: Journal of consulting and clinical psychology 2006-10, Vol.74 (5), p.980-987
• Main Authors: Tomich, Patricia L, Helgeson, Vicki S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adjustment (to Environment); Biological and medical sciences; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms - psychology; Cancer; Clinical Diagnosis; Cognition; Cognition & reasoning; Cognitive adaptation; Cognitive Processes; Cognitive Therapy; Comparative Analysis; Coping; Female; Females; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Human; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Mammary gland diseases; Medical sciences; Mental Health; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Neoplasm Staging; Optimism; Personal control; Physical Health; Positive life orientation; Psychological Patterns; Psychological Theory; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Quality of Life; Quality of Life - psychology; Recurrence; Relapse (Disorders); Relapse Prevention; Self Control; Self Esteem; Social Support; Theory; Tumors; Whites; Women
• ISSN: 0022-006X; 1939-2117
• DOI: 10.1037/0022-006X.74.5.980

Relations of the components of cognitive adaptation theory (self-esteem, optimism, control) to quality of life and benefit finding were examined for 70 women (91% Caucasian) diagnosed with Stage I, II, or III breast cancer over 5 years ago. Half of these women experienced a recurrence within the 5 years; the other half remained disease free. Women were matched on age, race, stage of disease, and intervention condition. Baseline perceptions of personal control over illness, but not general self-esteem or optimism, were associated with women's reports of worse physical functioning, worse mental functioning, and less benefit finding 5 years later for recurrent women but not disease-free women. These findings highlight the notion that there may be boundary conditions on the adaptiveness of perceived control.