title: Cognitive adaptation to nonmelanoma skin cancer.
abstract: Taylor's (1983) cognitive adaptation theory posits that when people go through life transitions, such as being diagnosed with a chronic disease, they adjust to their new reality. The adjustment process revolves around three themes: search for positive meaning in the experience or optimism, attempt to regain a sense of mastery in life, as well as an effort to enhance self-esteem. In the sample of 57 patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer the Cognitive Adaptation Index successfully predicted participants' distress (p < .001) accounting for 60% of the variance and lending support for the Taylor's theory of cognitive adaptation in this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1Y2, Canada. zofia.czajkowska@mail.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Zofia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Czajkowska
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Radiotis
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Annett
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Körner
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis*