Self-blame and distress among women with newly diagnosed breast cancer.
This study examined relations between behavioral and characterological self-blame attributions for breast cancer and psychological distress in the year following a diagnosis. One hundred fifteen women with newly diagnosed breast cancer participated. First, we predicted that both forms of self-blame would be associated with distress shortly after diagnosis (i.e., at 4 months). Second, we predicted that only characterological self-blame would be related to distress at 7 and 12 months post-diagnosis because behavioral self-blame would enhance perceptions of control, thereby protecting against distress. Results supported the first hypothesis; both forms of self-blame were related to symptoms of anxiety and depression at 4 months post-diagnosis. Findings did not support the second hypothesis because both forms of self-blame continued to be related to distress at 7 and 12 months post-diagnosis. Furthermore, perceptions of control did not mediate the self-blame/distress relation. Implications for social cognitive processes in adaptation to breast cancer are discussed.
Bennett
Kymberley K
KK
Department of Psychology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA. kbennett9@isugw.indstate.edu
Compas
Bruce E
BE
Beckjord
Ellen
E
Glinder
Judith G
JG
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003071:Cognition; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006167:Guilt; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept