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Psychological distress and quality of life in lung cancer: The role of health-related stigma, illness appraisals and social constraints
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Psychological distress and quality of life in lung cancer: The role of health-related stigma, illness appraisals and social constraints

S K Chambers, P Baade, Philippa H Youl, J Aitken, S Occhipinti, S Vinod, P C Valery, G Garvey, K M Fong, D Ball, …
Psycho-Oncology, Vol.24(11), pp.1569-1577
2015
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https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3829View
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Abstract

Objective Health-related stigma is associated with negative psychological and quality of life outcomes in lung cancer patients. This study describes the impact of stigma on lung cancer patients' psychological distress and quality of life and explores the role of social constraints and illness appraisal as mediators of effect. Methods A self-administered cross-sectional survey examined psychological distress and quality of life in 151 people (59% response rate) diagnosed with lung cancer from Queensland and New South Wales. Health-related stigma, social constraints and illness appraisals were assessed as predictors of adjustment outcomes. Results Forty-nine percent of patients reported elevated anxiety; 41% were depressed; and 51% had high global distress. Health-related stigma was significantly related to global psychological distress and quality of life with greater stigma and shame related to poorer outcomes. These effects were mediated by illness appraisals and social constraints. Conclusions Health-related stigma appears to contribute to poorer adjustment by constraining interpersonal discussions about cancer and heightening feelings of threat. There is a need for the development and evaluation of interventions to ameliorate the negative effects of health-related stigma among lung cancer patients. © 2015 The Authors. Psycho-Oncology Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas
Oncology
Psychology
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Social Sciences, Biomedical

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#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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