Journal article
Understanding the Factors Related to Trauma-Induced Stress in Cancer Patients: A National Study of 17 Cancer Centers
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol.18(14), pp.1-14
2021
PMCID: PMC8304921
PMID: 34300050
Appears in Cancer Research Cluster Research Collection
Abstract
Objective: Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), defined as continued trauma, has been found to negatively impact mental and physical health. Many cancer centers routinely assess level of psychological distress but assessment of symptoms related to PTSS is less routine. Understanding the mechanisms by which psychological distress results in, or influences, PTSS will aid in developing protocols to more effectively identify PTSS in cancer patients.
Methods: Survey data were analyzed from intake data at 17 cancer centers across the U.S. Patients reported distress ratings on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Thermometer (DT), responded to questions related to intrusive cognitive symptoms of PTSS and provided information about current symptoms and social support systems. Hypotheses were tested using a conditional process model, and paths were provided for direct and indirect effects, including moderation and mediated moderation.
Results: Findings indicated that, while distress scores were influential in the total model, the direct effect of distress on intrusive cognitive symptoms of PTSS was negated by the model’s indirect effects. The effects of social support and older age were independent protective factors, and there was a moderation effect that varied across groups. Lastly, physical cancer symptoms as a mediating variable further explained the relationship between psychological distress and intrusive cognitive symptoms of PTSS.
Conclusions: Study results provide evidence for a potential mechanism by which distress relates to intrusive cognitive symptoms of PTSS. Furthermore, findings suggest that older age and social support may be protective factors for certain groups and risk factors for others. This study provides formative data for potential next steps that could lead to improvements in routine psychosocial screenings in cancer treatment settings.
Details
- Title
- Understanding the Factors Related to Trauma-Induced Stress in Cancer Patients: A National Study of 17 Cancer Centers
- Authors
- Matthew R Moore (Author) - University of South FloridaCindy Davis (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and SocietyTamara Cadet (Author) - University of PennsylvaniaTina Harralson (Author) - Tridiuum, Inc., Philadelphia, PA 19103, USALaura Dietzen (Author) - Tridiuum, Inc., Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
- Publication details
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol.18(14), pp.1-14
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Date published
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.3390/ijerph18147600
- ISSN
- 1660-4601
- PMID
- 34300050; PMC8304921
- Copyright note
- This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Cancer Research Cluster; School of Law and Society
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99579008802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Environmental Sciences
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
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