Looking at the Silver Lining:Posttraumatic Growth in Young Breast Cancer Survivors

Search for this publication on Google Scholar
Triplett, K. (2013). Looking at the Silver Lining:Posttraumatic Growth in Young Breast Cancer Survivors. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
Download PDF

Analytics

75 views ◎
26 downloads ⇓


Abstract

This study examined negative and positive experiences reported by a sample of young breast cancer survivors (N = 87; ages 25-45) at approximately 12 months post-diagnosis. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted including utilization of Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software to explore relationships between psychosocial variables and positive and negative emotion words used in response to open-ended items. Multiple themes of negative experiences emerged indicating that young breast cancer survivors struggle with issues related to side effects/treatment, concern for the future, relationship/interpersonal issues, difficulty coping, appearance/self-esteem issues, employment, parenting, and other general life events. Responses to an open-ended item regarding positive aspects of the breast cancer experience revealed themes of posttraumatic growth (PTG), improved self-care, and adaptive coping efforts. A Total Negative Experiences Score and Total Positive Experiences Score were calculated based upon open-ended item responses and compared with measures of PTG, depression, coping, quality of life, and social support. Results indicate that participants reporting a greater number of negative experiences reported greater depression, pain, and cognitive problems. Greater usage of negative emotion words as calculated by LIWC software was related to greater depression, pain, cognitive difficulties, negative feelings, and fewer positive feelings. Greater number of reported positive experiences was related to higher levels of PTG, positive reappraisal, religious coping, active coping, and less denial. Greater usage of positive emotion words was related to lower levels of reported social avoidance, cognitive difficulties, and negative feelings. Implications for future research are discussed.

Details
Author

Triplett, Kelli

Title

Looking at the Silver Lining:Posttraumatic Growth in Young Breast Cancer Survivors

Physical Description

1 online resource (163 pages) : PDF

Date

2013

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

This study examined negative and positive experiences reported by a sample of young breast cancer survivors (N = 87; ages 25-45) at approximately 12 months post-diagnosis. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted including utilization of Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software to explore relationships between psychosocial variables and positive and negative emotion words used in response to open-ended items. Multiple themes of negative experiences emerged indicating that young breast cancer survivors struggle with issues related to side effects/treatment, concern for the future, relationship/interpersonal issues, difficulty coping, appearance/self-esteem issues, employment, parenting, and other general life events. Responses to an open-ended item regarding positive aspects of the breast cancer experience revealed themes of posttraumatic growth (PTG), improved self-care, and adaptive coping efforts. A Total Negative Experiences Score and Total Positive Experiences Score were calculated based upon open-ended item responses and compared with measures of PTG, depression, coping, quality of life, and social support. Results indicate that participants reporting a greater number of negative experiences reported greater depression, pain, and cognitive problems. Greater usage of negative emotion words as calculated by LIWC software was related to greater depression, pain, cognitive difficulties, negative feelings, and fewer positive feelings. Greater number of reported positive experiences was related to higher levels of PTG, positive reappraisal, religious coping, active coping, and less denial. Greater usage of positive emotion words was related to lower levels of reported social avoidance, cognitive difficulties, and negative feelings. Implications for future research are discussed.

Genre

doctoral dissertations

Subjects--Topics

Psychology
Oncology

Degree

Ph.D.

Keywords

Breast Cancer
Coping
Posttraumatic Growth
Trauma
Young Survivors

Subject Area

Health Psychology

Advisor(s)

Tedeschi, Richard

Committee Members

Calhoun, Lawrence
Cann, Arnie
Danhauer, Suzanne
Long, Shawn

Degree Note

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2013.

Rights Statement

This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). For additional information, see http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/.

Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Triplett_uncc_0694D_10481

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:1631