Posttraumatic growth following cancer: Links to quality of life
Open accessAbstract
This study examined the linkage of posttraumatic growth (PTG) to quality of life (QOL) among individuals newly diagnosed with cancer. Individuals (26 men, 36 women) reported PTG 3 months postdiagnosis (T1) and 3 months later (T2). Cross-sectional analyses revealed a linear association between PTG and QOL-more PTG was related to worse mental health at T1 (β = -.28). PTG, however, revealed a quadratic relationship with depressive symptoms at T1 and physical health at T2: Individuals with high or low levels of PTG had fewer depressive symptoms and better QOL than those with moderate levels. Longitudinal analyses revealed a linear association between PTG and QOL; more PTG at T1 predicted better physical health at T2. There were no longitudinal curvilinear associations. Although the linear links of PTG to QOL were contradictory within this study, both of the curvilinear relations, although not robust, confirm previous research. Further analyses differentiated low, medium, and high PTG groups in terms of perceiving cancer as stressful, intrusive thoughts, and coping strategies. Overall, relations of PTG to adjustment may be more complex and dynamic than previously assumed. Clinicians should consider the notion that more growth may sometimes, but not always, be better.
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Posttraumatic growth positively correlates with health-related quality of life among cancer patients.
“It also positively correlates with health-related QoL [15, 16].”
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“It also positively correlates with health-related QoL [15, 16].”
BackgroundLiu, Z., Thong, M. S. Y., Doege, D., Koch-Gallenkamp, L., Weisser, L., Bertram, H., Eberle, A., Holleczek, B., Nennecke, A., Waldmann, A., et al. (2023) · Acta Oncologica · doi:10.1080/0284186x.2023.2245560 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Pięta-Lendzion, M., Rzeszutek, M., Tsukayama, E., Blackie, L. E. R., & Gruszczyńska, E. (2024) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111552 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
- Authors
- Tomich, P. L., & Helgeson, V. S.
- Affiliations
- Kent State University (US)
- Carnegie Mellon University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Tomich, Patricia L.
- Venue
- Journal of Traumatic Stress
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2012-10
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 567-573
- ISSN
- 0894-9867 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-6598
- OpenAlex
- W1916103335
- Cited by
- 71
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 2.69
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- figshare.com
- Locations
- Journal of Traumatic Stress (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- KiltHub Repository
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5r01ca079752-03)
- National Cancer Institute (R01 CA79752)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
- Keywords
- posttraumatic growth, cancer, quality of life, depressive symptoms, physical health, mental health, cancer diagnosis, coping strategies, intrusive thoughts, perceived stress, psychological adjustment
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Neoplasms, Quality of Life, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
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