title: Observations of benefit finding in head and neck cancer patients.
abstract: The management of head and neck cancer (HNC) can lead to potentially severe physical, functional and psychological disturbances. As a result, many HNC patients develop symptoms of depression following diagnosis and treatment. Finding benefit in a disease and its treatment can reduce the symptoms of depression and enhance quality of life (QOL). 92 patients from the Head and Neck Cancer Clinic at Auckland Hospital completed measures of unmet needs and quality of life at diagnosis, and completed measures of benefit finding, coping, fear of recurrence and depression 12-18 months later. Patients reported at least moderate benefit finding in the majority of areas. More benefit finding was predicted by the presence of more advanced disease, Maori/Pacific Island ethnicity, lower baseline QOL, and the use of active coping strategies. These findings support the view that screening for QOL at diagnosis and facilitating the development of coping skills may lead to improved benefit finding and psychological adjustment in people with head and neck cancer. Identification of the factors that facilitate benefit finding may assist management of patients after treatment for HNC.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Counties Manukau District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Cavell
authors: Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. e.broadbent@auckland.ac.nz.
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Broadbent
authors: Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Liesje
authors: L
authors: Donkin
authors: Oral Health Service, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Kim
authors: K
authors: Gear
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Counties Manukau District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Randall P
authors: RP
authors: Morton
mesh_terms: D019468:Disease Management; D000066498:Emotional Adjustment / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Adjustment; Benefit finding; Cancer; Coping; Head and neck; Oncology
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