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ERIC Number: ED264514
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1985-Aug
Pages: 19
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Coping after Mastectomy: Antecedents and Outcomes.
Heinemann, Allen W.; And Others
Psychological well-being following mastectomy is a concern of rehabilitation psychologists as the life expectancy of women treated for breast cancer is increasing. Well-being can be threatened by stress that these women may suffer from the diagnosis of cancer and amputation of a significant body part. A study was conducted to examine the hypothesis that enhanced adjustment would be associated with particular demographic characteristics, the availability of emotional and physical support, and specific coping processes. Participants (N=55), selected from mastectomy self-help groups, were cancer-free for at least one year. A biological questionnaire, the General Well-Being Schedule, Ways of Coping Checklist, and Acceptance of Disability Scale were used as assessment tools. Women who had had more recent mastectomies reported more emotional support. The coping process of wishful thinking predicted poorer well-being and less disability acceptance. Seeking social support predicted poorer well-being. Wishful thinking and seeking social support were used more by younger women. Length of time since the mastectomy was found to be important both in psychological and physical healing, while the availability of emotional support was the strongest predictor of well-being. Marital status, length of marriage, and income were not predictive of any outcome. (ABL)
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A