Benefit finding after cancer: the role of optimism, intrusive thinking and social environment.
OBJECTIVE
Benefit finding after cancer is common. The mechanism for this may include cognitive processing of the cancer trauma within a supportive social context.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey of 439 cancer patients assessing optimism, intrusion, avoidance, social support and constraints, anxiety, depression, QOL, benefit finding.


RESULTS
Benefit finding was predicted by female gender, greater optimism, high intrusive thinking, high social support and constraints.


CONCLUSIONS
The role of social constraints in the generation of benefit finding is unclear. Future research should assess how the specific nature of intrusive thoughts may influence benefit finding over time and how social environment interacts with this.
Dunn
Jeff
J
Griffith University, Cancer Council Queensland and University of Queensland, Australia.
Occhipinti
Stefano
S
Campbell
Alistair
A
Ferguson
Megan
M
Chambers
Suzanne K
SK
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012931:Social Environment; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013850:Thinking