title: Self-blame, self-forgiveness, and spirituality in breast cancer survivors in a public sector setting.
abstract: Cognitive appraisal affects adjustment to breast cancer. A self-forgiving attitude and spirituality may benefit breast cancer survivors who blame themselves for their cancer. One hundred and eight women with early breast cancers completed questionnaires assessing self-blame, self-forgiveness, spirituality, mood and quality of life (QoL) in an outpatient breast clinic. Women who blamed themselves reported more mood disturbance (p < 0.01) and poorer QoL (p < 0.01). Women who were more self-forgiving and more spiritual reported less mood disturbance and better QoL (p's < 0.01). Interventions that reduce self-blame and facilitate self-forgiveness and spirituality could promote better adjustment to breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Ireland Cancer Center, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. Lois.Friedman@UHhospitals.org
authors.forename: Lois C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Catherine R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Yee Lu
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Tham
authors.forename: Mamta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalidas
authors.forename: Mothaffar F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Rimawi
authors.forename: Mario F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Dulay
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Elledge
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006167:Guilt; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*