title: Is there a relationship between posttraumatic stress and growth after a lymphoma diagnosis?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There are conflicting empirical data regarding the relationship between posttraumatic stress (PTS) and growth (PTG) observed in cancer survivors. Clarification of this association could inform evidence-based therapeutic recommendations to promote adjustment in survivors following a cancer diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study employed standardized measures to examine the association between PTS and PTG in a sample of long-term lymphoma survivors. In addition, associations between PTG and demographic, clinical and psychosocial variables were identified to inform clinical recommendations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Long-term survivors of non-Hodgkin lymphoma provided informed consent (n = 886; 74% response rate). Subjects averaged 10.2 years post-diagnosis and 62.9 years of age. No significant association was found between the PTS and PTG summary scores. Several demographic and clinical variables (e.g., female gender and greater social support) were independently associated with greater PTG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinicians are advised to be attentive to psychosocial needs throughout the post-cancer diagnosis adjustment period by screening for PTS symptomatology and recognizing that survivors who report growth may also be highly distressed.
authors.affiliation: Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Sophia K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Samsa
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ganz
authors.forename: Sheryl
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008016:Life Change Events; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: PTSD; cancer survivor; oncology; posttraumatic growth; posttraumatic stress