Relationship of optimism–pessimism and health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors

Petersen, Larra R.; Clark, Matthew M.; Novotny, Paul; Kung, Simon; Sloan, Jeff A.; Patten, Christi A.; Vickers, Kristin S.; Rummans, Teresa A.; Frost, Marlene H.; Colligan, Robert C.

doi:10.1080/07347330802359578

Cited by 56Cancer survivorship and careOptimism, Hope, and Well-beingWomen's cancer prevention and management

Relationship of optimism–pessimism and health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors

Petersen, Larra R., Clark, Matthew M., Novotny, Paul, Kung, Simon, Sloan, Jeff A., Patten, Christi A., Vickers, Kristin S., Rummans, Teresa A. +2 more·2008·Journal of Psychosocial Oncology

DOI 10.1080/07347330802359578

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Abstract

Few studies have investigated the influence of optimism-pessimism in breast cancer survivors. This study used a retrospective design with 268 adult women who completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) as part of their medical care approximately 10 years prior to their breast cancer diagnosis and Medical Outcome Study Short-Form General Health Survey (SF-36 or SF-12), on average, 8 years after diagnosis. MMPI pessimism scores were divided into quartiles, and t tests were used to determine differences between those highest and lowest in pessimism on health-related quality-of-life (QOL) measures, demographics, and disease status. The mean age at diagnosis of breast cancer was 63 years, and 74% had early-stage breast cancer. Patients age 65 years and older were significantly lower on physical health related QOL scales. There were no significant differences in health-related QOL scores by stage of disease. Patients with a pessimistic explanatory style were significantly lower on all of the health-related QOL scores, compared to those with a nonpessimistic style. Breast cancer survivors who exhibit a pessimistic explanatory style report lower health-related QOL for years after receiving a cancer diagnosis, compared to nonpessimistic women.

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Authors: Petersen, L. R., Clark, M. M., Novotny, P., Kung, S., Sloan, J. A., Patten, C. A., Vickers, K. S., Rummans, T. A., Frost, M. H., & Colligan, R. C.
Affiliations: Nebraska Medical Center (US)
Mayo Clinic (US)
ORCID: Clark, Matthew M.
Novotny, Paul
Kung, Simon
Sloan, Jeff A.
Patten, Christi A.
Vickers, Kristin S.
Rummans, Teresa A.
Venue: Journal of Psychosocial Oncology
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Published: 2008-10-03
Volume: 26
Issue: 4
Pages: 15-32
ISSN: 0734-7332 (ISSN-L)
1540-7586
DOI: 10.1080/07347330802359578
OpenAlex: W2069103888
Cited by: 56
References: 43
Citations by year: 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 6
FWCI: 1.41
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Journal of Psychosocial Oncology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Optimism, Hope, and Well-being
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Women's cancer prevention and management
Keywords: optimism and pessimism, pessimistic explanatory style, health-related quality of life, breast cancer survivors, MMPI, SF-36, physical health, age at diagnosis, early breast cancer, psychosocial factors
MeSH terms: Affect, Attitude to Health, Breast Neoplasms, Female, Health Status, Humans, Middle Aged, Motivation, Personality Inventory, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Retrospective Studies, Survivors

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Relationship of optimism–pessimism and health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors

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