Life values before versus after a breast cancer diagnosis.
The main aim of this study was to investigate whether women's life values change with a breast cancer diagnosis. In addition, associations between life values and anxiety/depression ratings were investigated. Life value changes were prospectively studied in 517 women recalled for further examination after attending mammographic screening, 38 of whom were diagnosed with primary breast cancer. Life values were assessed by a study-specific version of a life value questionnaire, including ratings of the perceived attainment and importance of seven life value dimensions. Three months after being recalled, women diagnosed with primary breast cancer reported a reduction of the attainment and the importance of Health. In addition, these women reported changes in the perceived importance of Responsibility and Involvement. High levels of anxiety and depression in particular were associated with large discrepancies between attainment and importance for some life values. This suggests that changes in the perceived importance of some life values may constitute one part of women's psychological adaptation to a breast cancer diagnosis.
Lampic
Claudia
C
Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Section of Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Thurfjell
Erik
E
Bergh
Jonas
J
Carlsson
Marianne
M
Sjödén
Per-Olow
PO
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008327:Mammography; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden