title: Relationships between quality of life and finding benefits in a diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
abstract: This longitudinal study investigated relations between benefit-finding domains and outcome measures. Participants were 1,757 individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer. A written questionnaire and telephone interview were completed at 5-months (Time 1) and 12-months post-diagnosis (Time 2). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed three psychometrically sound factors: personal growth, interpersonal growth, and acceptance. Results of regression analyses were conducted and found that Time 1 benefit-finding domains accounted for significant amounts of variance in Time 1 positive affect and cancer-related quality of life (both the aggregate score and its social/family, functional, and colorectal cancer-specific well-being subscales). Time 1 personal growth also predicted Time 1 psychological distress. After controlling for Time 1 positive affect, personal growth continued to predict Time 2 positive affect. Results delineate the benefit-finding domains in the context of colorectal cancer and their differential links with outcome measures cross-sectionally, and longitudinally. These findings have implications for theory building and the measurement of benefit-finding.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. machelle@psy.uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Machelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rinaldis
authors.forename: Kenneth I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Pakenham
authors.forename: Brigid M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Lynch
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011379:Prognosis; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011793:Queensland; D012803:Sick Role; D012944:Social Support