Relationships between quality of life and finding benefits in a diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

This longitudinal study investigated relations between benefit-finding domains and outcome measures. Participants were 1,757 individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer. A written questionnaire and telephone interview were completed at 5-months (Time 1) and 12-months post-diagnosis (Time 2). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed three psychometrically sound factors: personal growth, interpersonal growth, and acceptance. Results of regression analyses were conducted and found that Time 1 benefit-finding domains accounted for significant amounts of variance in Time 1 positive affect and cancer-related quality of life (both the aggregate score and its social/family, functional, and colorectal cancer-specific well-being subscales). Time 1 personal growth also predicted Time 1 psychological distress. After controlling for Time 1 positive affect, personal growth continued to predict Time 2 positive affect. Results delineate the benefit-finding domains in the context of colorectal cancer and their differential links with outcome measures cross-sectionally, and longitudinally. These findings have implications for theory building and the measurement of benefit-finding.