Sense of coherence as a protective factor for demoralisation in women with a recent diagnosis of gynaecological cancer
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Demoralisation is a dysphoric mood state commonly seen in the medically ill. Its core features comprise hopelessness, helplessness, loss of purpose and meaning, despair, and existential distress. Sense of Coherence (SOC) is a quantifiable dispositional orientation that captures the character traits likely to protect against demoralisation. In this study, we hypothesised on theoretical grounds that a strong SOC would be associated with lower levels of demoralisation in the context of gynaecological cancer (GC). METHOD: One hundred and twenty women with a recent (<12 months) diagnosis of GC were recruited from outpatient clinics. Participants were interviewed and completed questionnaire measures of demoralisation and SOC. A multiple regression analysis was performed using the five subscales of the Demoralisation Scale as predictor variables and SOC as the dependent variable. RESULTS: Together, the five subscales of the Demoralisation Scale accounted for 60% of the variance in SOC. CONCLUSIONS: The results supported the hypothesis, suggesting that SOC may be protective against demoralisation in the context of serious illness. Larger, multivariate studies that examine additional variables (such as coping) would be required to further clarify the relationship between SOC and demoralisation. In the meantime, clinicians may want to consider efforts to enhance SOC in patients.
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Across three studies (n = 723), there is no association between demoralization and time since diagnosis.
“there is no association between demoralization and time since diagnosis (three studies, n = 723)”
From A systematic review of the demoralization syndrome in individuals with progressive disease and cancer: a decade of research (2015) · cites this paper as [36]
There was a negative relationship between demoralization and sense of coherence.
“There was a negative relationship between demoralization and sense of coherence;36”
From A systematic review of the demoralization syndrome in individuals with progressive disease and cancer: a decade of research (2015) · cites this paper as [36]
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- Authors
- Boscaglia, N., & M. Clarke, D.
- Affiliations
- Monash University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Boscaglia, Nadia
- Venue
- Psycho-Oncology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2006-07-26
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 189-195
- ISSN
- 1057-9249 (ISSN-L)
- 1099-1611
- OpenAlex
- W2169590534
- Cited by
- 77
- References
- 43
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 7.74
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psycho-Oncology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Monash University
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health, psychology, and well-being
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Optimism, Hope, and Well-being
- Keywords
- sense of coherence, demoralization, gynecologic cancer, women, protective factors, hopelessness, helplessness, existential suffering, coping, serious illness, psychosocial adjustment
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Aged, Demography, Female, Genital Neoplasms, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Self Concept, Severity of Illness Index, Time Factors, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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