title: Predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder following cancer.
abstract: This study investigated the predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a diagnosis of cancer. Individuals who were recently diagnosed with 1st onset head and neck or lung malignancy (N = 82) were assessed within 1 month of diagnosis for acute stress disorder (ASD) and other psychological responses including depression; individuals were reassessed (N = 63) for PTSD 6 months following their cancer diagnosis. At the initial assessment ASD was diagnosed in 28% of participants, and 22% met criteria for PTSD at 6-months follow-up. Peritraumatic dissociative symptoms at the time of receiving one's cancer diagnosis was the sole predictor of PTSD severity at 6-months follow-up. Elevated dissociative symptoms and greater distress at the initial assessment were the best predictors of PTSD caseness at 6-months follow-up. This study provides evidence for identifying recently diagnosed cancer patients who may benefit from psychological assistance in order to prevent chronic psychopathology.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kangas
authors.forename: Jane L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bryant
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D040701:Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires