The psychosocial impact of cancer and lupus: a cross validation study that extends the generality of “benefit finding” in patients with chronic disease
Abstract
Mohr et al. (1999) described the psychosocial effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) from the patient's perspective. Three factors emerged: demoralization, benefit-finding, and deteriorated relationships. The benefit-finding factor suggested that some patients with MS benefited from their illness. We investigated the generalizability of these results by replicating the Mohr et al. study using patients with two diseases, cancer (N = 56) and lupus (N = 31). All participants completed the questionnaire developed by Mohr et al. along with the Profile of Mood States. When the data were analyzed, results showed a three-factor solution very similar to the one reported by Mohr et al. Scores on the demoralization factor were positively related to total mood disturbance and average pain ratings and inversely related to benefit-finding. Conversely, patients who perceived more benefits from their illness suffered less. We conclude that benefit-finding is not unique to patients with MS but occurs in patients with other chronic diseases.
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In one study, patients with only a high school education were more demoralized than those with some level of college/tertiary training.
“patients with only a high school education were more demoralized than those with some level of college/tertiary training”
From A systematic review of the demoralization syndrome in individuals with progressive disease and cancer: a decade of research (2015) · cites this paper as [29]
In the study by Katz et al., married participants were less demoralized than divorced or separated participants.
“married participants were less demoralized than divorced or separated participants in the study by Katz et al.”
From A systematic review of the demoralization syndrome in individuals with progressive disease and cancer: a decade of research (2015) · cites this paper as [29]
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 [29]
Across two studies (n = 233), there is a negative association between activity level and demoralization.
“there is a negative association between activity level and demoralization (two studies, n = 233).”
From A systematic review of the demoralization syndrome in individuals with progressive disease and cancer: a decade of research (2015) · cites this paper as [29]
Across two studies (n = 321 subjects), employed patients or patients with full-time jobs were reported as less demoralized than jobless patients.
“There was evidence for a relationship between employment and demoralization (two studies, n = 321 subjects), with employed patients or patients with full-time jobs reported as less demoralized than jobless patients.”
From A systematic review of the demoralization syndrome in individuals with progressive disease and cancer: a decade of research (2015) · cites this paper as [29]
Across three studies (n = 723), having a partner was associated with lower levels of demoralization.
“There were similar findings for the relationship between marital status and demoralization with the results of three studies (n = 723) indicating that having a partner was associated with lower levels of demoralization.”
From A systematic review of the demoralization syndrome in individuals with progressive disease and cancer: a decade of research (2015) · cites this paper as [29]
In another study, lupus patients were more demoralized than cancer patients.
“lupus patients were more demoralized than cancer patients.”
From A systematic review of the demoralization syndrome in individuals with progressive disease and cancer: a decade of research (2015) · cites this paper as [29]
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- Authors
- Katz, R. C., Flasher, L., Cacciapaglia, H., & Nelson, S.
- Affiliations
- University of the Pacific (US)
- Corresponding author
- Katz, Roger C.
- Venue
- Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Published
- 2001-12
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 561-571
- ISSN
- 0160-7715 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-3521
- OpenAlex
- W1630831866
- Cited by
- 123
- References
- 12
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 3 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Behavioral Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Optimism, Hope, and Well-being
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Resilience and Mental Health
- Keywords
- benefit finding, demoralization, psychosocial impact of chronic illness, cancer patients, lupus, multiple sclerosis, mood disturbance, pain
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Affective Symptoms, Chronic Disease, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasms, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sampling Studies, Social Adjustment
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