Longitudinal analysis of specific domains of internal control and depressive symptoms in patients with recurrent cancer.
The relation between perceptions of control and depressive symptoms was examined in a longitudinal study of patients with recurrent cancer. Five domains of control (self-blame, control over cancer onset, control over symptoms, control over the course of the illness, and overall control over life events) were found to be independent of one another. In cross-sectional analyses, depression symptomatology was negatively correlated with illness course control, symptom control, and overall control. Cross-lagged longitudinal analyses using structural equation modeling suggested only onset control and overall control were significantly associated with depressive symptomatology over the 8-month interval. Greater baseline onset control predicted greater follow-up depression, whereas higher baseline depression predicted lower follow-up overall control. The importance of developing and using domain-specific measures of control and investigating the association of control and adjustment in longitudinal analysis are discussed.
University Center for Social and Urban Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA.
J T
JT
Newsom
J E
JE
Knapp
R
R
Schulz
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors