title: Communication competence, psychological well-being, and the mediating role of coping efforts among women with breast cancer: cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence.
abstract: Despite existing research identifying psychological benefits of patients' interpersonal competence in various contexts, little longitudinal research has addressed underlying mechanism(s). To address this limitation, we examined both the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between cancer patients' communication competence in close relationships and psychological well-being, as well as the mediating role of coping efforts. Data came from a larger project with women with breast cancer (N = 661), recruited from April 2005 to May 2007 at three large university-affiliated cancer centers in the U.S. to study the effects of an Internet-based system providing patients and families with a range of services. The present study focused on survey data at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after the intervention (controlling for the possible effects of the intervention). Results from both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses indicated that competence in open communication between patients and their close support persons had a positive association with patients' psychological well-being and that approach coping efforts partially mediated this association. We discussed the implications and limitations of the study.
authors: a Department of Communication and Information , Inha University , Incheon , Republic of Korea.
authors: Minsun
authors: M
authors: Shim
authors: Laura M
authors: LM
authors: Mercer Kollar
authors: Linda J
authors: LJ
authors: Roberts
authors: David H
authors: DH
authors: Gustafson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: approach coping; breast cancer; communication competence; psychological well-being