Posttraumatic growth in head and neck cancer survivors: is it possible and what are the correlates?
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVES: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a possible positive consequence of a traumatic event, such as cancer. Head and neck cancer (HNC) may be particularly traumatic, given its adverse effects on functional, psychological, and social wellbeing. We investigated the extent of PTG, factors associated with PTG, and associations between PTG and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in HNC survivors. METHODS: HNC survivors (ICD10 C00-C14, C32), identified from the population-based National Cancer Registry Ireland, completed a postal survey. PTG was assessed using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTG-I) and HRQoL with FACT-G and FACT-H&N. Associations between socio-economic characteristics, social support, and clinical variables and PTG were examined using multivariable linear regression. Total HRQoL scores were compared in those with none-low PTG vs moderate-high PTG. RESULTS: A total of 583 survivors participated (response rate = 59%). The mean PTG score was 55.74 (95%CI 53.15-58.33); 60% had moderate-high PTG. Survivors scored highest in the PTG-I domain appreciation of life. In multivariable analysis, being female, being younger, having more social support, and having cancer-related financial stress were significantly associated with more PTG. HRQoL was significantly higher in those with moderate-high than no-little PTG (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: A notable proportion of HNC survivors report PTG but growth is, on average, lower than reported for other cancers. Nonetheless, higher PTG appears related to better HRQoL. Further research would be valuable to understand the pathways by which HNC may lead to PTG and inform development of strategies to support and encourage PTG in this survivor population.
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The devastating complications of both cancer itself and cancer treatments' side effects-such as fatigue, pain, speech and swallowing problems, breathing problems, mucositis, xerostomia, and trismus-further disrupt many functions and daily living activities, increasing psychological distress and decreasing quality of life.
“Moreover, the devastating complications of both cancer itself and cancer treatments’ side effects—such as fatigue, pain, speech and swallowing problems, breathing problems, mucositis, xerostomia, and trismus—further disrupt many functions and daily living activities, increasing psychological distress and decreasing QoL [32, 33].”
Head and neck cancer is associated with a wide range of illness complications and adverse treatment effects that can reduce quality of life.
“Since head and neck cancer is associated with a wide range of illness complications and adverse treatment effects that can reduce QoL [32–34], psychosocial interventions that could enhance head and neck cancer patients’ QoL must be investigated.”
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- Authors
- Sharp, L., Redfearn, D., Timmons, A., Balfe, M., & Patterson, J.
- Affiliations
- Newcastle University (GB)
- National Cancer Registry (IE)
- University College Cork (IE)
- Corresponding author
- Sharp, Linda
- Venue
- Psycho-Oncology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2018-04-16
- Volume
- 27
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1517-1523
- ISSN
- 1057-9249 (ISSN-L)
- 1099-1611
- OpenAlex
- W2792979132
- Cited by
- 61
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 1.88
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- doi.org
- Locations
- Psycho-Oncology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity)
- Funders
- Health Research Board (HRA/2009/262)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Otorhinolaryngology › Head and Neck Cancer Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
- Keywords
- posttraumatic growth, head and neck cancer survivors, health-related quality of life, social support, gender differences, age differences, appreciation of life, cancer survivorship
- MeSH terms
- Cancer Survivors, Posttraumatic Growth, Psychological, Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Female, Head and Neck Neoplasms, Humans, Ireland, Male, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Social Support, Linear Models
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