Long-term trajectories of psychological adaptation among women diagnosed with gynecological cancers.

OBJECTIVE

Women diagnosed with gynecological cancers may cope with a difficult treatment regimen that includes multiple abdominal surgeries and courses of chemotherapy and/or radiation. Little attention has been paid to identifying what factors place women at risk for long-term problems with psychological adaptation. The goal of the present study was to identify a set of demographic, medical, and predisposing factors as well as cognitive and social processing strategies that predict the trajectory of psychological distress and well-being among women diagnosed with gynecological cancer.

METHODS

One hundred thirteen women on active treatment for gynecological cancer completed measures at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months afterward.

RESULTS

Women with poorer physician-rated performance status and self-reported functional impairment, women who were Caucasian, women who have received previous psychological treatments, women who were less expressive of positive emotions, women who had unsupportive friends and family, and women who were less able to find something positive in the cancer experience reported poorer adaptation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified a set of risk factors for poor long-term psychological adaptation among women diagnosed with gynecological cancers. Healthcare professionals working with these women can use these risk factors to screen for patients who may require additional psychological services.