title: Posttraumatic growth in women one year after diagnosis for gynecologic cancer or benign conditions.
abstract: The authors sought to examine levels and predictors of posttraumatic growth over one year after surgery in women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer or benign conditions necessitating surgical intervention. Women with advanced-stage cancer (n = 16), early-stage cancer (n = 18), benign gynecologic disease (n = 21), and no disease (n = 14; postannual pelvic exam) completed questionnaires (Perceived Threat, PTSD Checklist [PCL]) 1 week prior to surgery and completed the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) 16 months postsurgery. The four groups' scores varied significantly on the PTGI. The three disease groups reported higher levels of posttraumatic growth than the no disease group. Higher PCL score presurgery and greater disease severity were positively related to posttraumatic growth, and higher income level was negatively related to posttraumatic growth. Women with gynecologic cancer, regardless of stage, and women with benign gynecologic conditions experience posttraumatic growth.
authors: Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. poslusznydm@upmc.edu
authors: Donna M
authors: DM
authors: Posluszny
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Baum
authors: Robert P
authors: RP
authors: Edwards
authors: Mary Amanda
authors: MA
authors: Dew
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D057234:Preoperative Period; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires