Stress response syndromes and cancer: conceptual and assessment issues.
Stress response syndromes have begun to receive research attention in cancer, including melanoma, Hodgkin's disease, breast cancer, and mixed-diagnosis samples. This paper focuses on conceptual and assessment issues in the application of the trauma model to adaptation to cancer. Among the central considerations: differentiating cancer from other traumatic events, the utility of conceptualizing stress responses along a continuum in this population, diagnostic issues, and preliminary recommendations for therapeutic interventions.
Gurevich
Maria
M
Psychosocial Oncology, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada. mgurevic@ryerson.ca
Devins
Gerald M
GM
Rodin
Gary M
GM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy