title: [Causal attributions and coping with illness by breast cancer patients: results of a longitudinal study].
abstract: The present 3-year longitudinal study investigated the relationship between causal attribution and coping mechanism. Data were collected in a group of 66 breast cancer patients by self-report questionnaires. Three issues were addressed: 1. How do the patients explain the cause of their illness? 2. Do the subjective causes change over the course of three years? 3. What kind of relationship can be found between the causal attributions and the coping mechanism of the patients? Results showed a predominance of psychological attribution. Only little statistical prove could be found for changes between the four ratings. Analysing the individual data of the patients however revealed changing perceptions for about half the patients. A relationship between psychological attribution and depressive coping and problem solving as well were found.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Psychosoziale Medizin des Universitätsspitals Zürich.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riehl-Emde
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ritter-Landolt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sieber
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buddeberg
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011340:Problem Solving; D012803:Sick Role; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications
vernacular_title: Kausalattribution und Krankheitsverarbeitung bei Brustkrebspatientinnen: Ergebnisse einer Längsschnittuntersuchung.