title: Illness perceptions and coping predict post-traumatic stress in caregivers of patients with head and neck cancer.
abstract: There is evidence to suggest that caregivers of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate whether illness perceptions and coping strategies contribute to the development of these symptoms.
  
  
  
  Seventy-eight caregivers completed questionnaires to assess distress, illness perceptions, and coping at diagnosis. Six months later, PTSD symptoms were assessed. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to examine relationships between illness perceptions and coping at diagnosis and PTSD symptoms at 6 months in 48 caregivers.
  
  
  
  Nineteen percent of caregivers met criteria for estimated PTSD caseness at 6-month follow-up. A regression analysis demonstrated that caregiver perceptions of low treatment benefit and many cancer symptoms, as well as use of avoidant coping techniques, predicted subsequent PTSD.
  
  
  
  This preliminary study suggests that caregivers who have perceptions of low benefits from treatment and many patient symptoms, and those using avoidant coping strategies, are at increased risk of experiencing symptoms of PTSD. Psychological interventions that target illness perceptions and coping may help to reduce the prevalence of PTSD in caregivers of patients with HNC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Amy E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Randall P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand. e.broadbent@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Broadbent
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Caregivers; Coping; Head and neck cancer (HNC); Illness perceptions; Post-traumatic stress