A longitudinal investigation of posttraumatic growth and its associated factors among head and neck cancer survivors

Hamdan, Nur Amirah; Abd Hamid, Norhaliza; Leong Bin Abdullah, Mohammad Farris Iman

doi:10.1002/pon.5835

Cited by 19Cancer survivorship and careHead and Neck Cancer StudiesChildhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life

A longitudinal investigation of posttraumatic growth and its associated factors among head and neck cancer survivors

Hamdan, Nur Amirah, Abd Hamid, Norhaliza, Leong Bin Abdullah, Mohammad Farris Iman·2022·Psycho-Oncology

DOI 10.1002/pon.5835

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Abstract

Abstract Objectives Posttraumatic growth (PTG) may improve well‐being among cancer survivors, but a longitudinal study addressing head and neck cancer (HNC) is lacking. This longitudinal study examined PTG trends and determined the associations of physical symptoms and complications, as well as sociodemographic and tumor characteristics on PTG over time among HNC survivors. Methods Participants completed the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer's “Quality of Life Questionnaire—Head and Neck 35” module (EORTC‐QLQ‐H&N‐35) and “Posttraumatic Growth Inventory—Short Form” (PTGI‐SF) during baseline ( T 1 ) and follow‐up ( T 2 ; 5–7 months post‐baseline) assessments. Results In total, 200 HNC participants completed the study and 67.5% of them reported increasing PTG. Physical symptoms and complications that were significantly associated with lower PTG included problems with social contact and the senses. Meanwhile, sociodemographic variables that were significantly associated with PTG were gender (males had lower PTG than females) and religion (Muslims and Buddhists had higher PTG than participants of other religious faith). Conclusion Our findings revealed the need to focus on the impact of sensory issues and reduced social contact following HNC on PTG which may be addressed by various restorative and supportive rehabilitation therapy.

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If the traumatic experience of living with cancer is too intense, it may lead to failure for cognitive reprocessing of the traumatic event to search for meaning, which will hamper the development of posttraumatic growth.
“If the traumatic experience of living with cancer is too intense, it may lead to failure for cognitive reprocessing of the traumatic event to search for meaning, which will hamper the development of PTG [17].”
From Acceptance and commitment therapy versus mindfulness-based stress reduction for newly diagnosed head and neck cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial assessing efficacy for positive psychology, depression, anxiety, and quality of life (2022) · cites this paper as [17]

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Self-citation

Authors: Hamdan, N. A., Abd Hamid, N., & Leong Bin Abdullah, M. F. I.
Affiliations: Universiti Sains Malaysia (MY)
Lifestyle Science Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute Universiti Sains Malaysia Kepala Batas Pulau Pinang Malaysia
ORCID: Leong Bin Abdullah, Mohammad Farris Iman
Venue: Psycho-Oncology
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2021-10-19
Volume: 31
Issue: 3
Pages: 504-511
ISSN: 1057-9249 (ISSN-L)
1099-1611
DOI: 10.1002/pon.5835
OpenAlex: W3206741415
Cited by: 19
References: 27
Citations by year: 2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 1
FWCI: 0.91
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations: Psycho-Oncology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
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, cancer survivorship, sensory disturbances, social contact, gender differences, religious affiliation, quality of life, longitudinal trends
MeSH terms: Posttraumatic Growth, Psychological, Adaptation, Psychological, Female, Head and Neck Neoplasms, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Quality of Life, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Survivors

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A longitudinal investigation of posttraumatic growth and its associated factors among head and neck cancer survivors

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