Blom Mariska, Guicherit Onno R, Hoogwegt Madelein T
Department of Medical Psychology, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Psychooncology. 2023 Apr;32(4):581-588. doi: 10.1002/pon.6102. Epub 2023 Feb 13.
Improved medical treatment has led to an increased cohort of cancer survivors. The prevalence of emotional problems in this group is high, with fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) being among the most prevalent and distressing conditions. In order to gain more insight in the psychological mechanisms playing a role in levels of FCR, this study examined the relationship between perfectionism and FCR in breast cancer patients, as well as the mediating role of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and coping in this relationship. In order to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms related to the experience of FCR in breast cancer patients, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationship between perfectionism and FCR, with IU and coping strategies as possible mediating factors.
Validated Dutch versions of the FCR Inventory, the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale and the Utrechtse Coping List were filled out by 146 breast cancer patients, at least one year after (finishing) medical treatment. Correlation analyses were conducted to administer the associations between FCR, perfectionism, IU, coping and demographic/medical variables. PROCESS was used to examine mediation mechanisms.
A significant correlation was found between perfectionism and FCR (r = 0.19, p = 0.024). IU was found to mediate the relationship between perfectionism and FCR. In contrast, coping style did not emerge as a significant mediating factor.
This study shows that intolerance of uncertainty mediates the relationship between perfectionism and FCR. Psychological interventions targeting FCR may benefit from incorporating specific modules on dealing with uncertainty. Future research is necessary to further increase understanding of the mechanisms that play a role in FCR, in order to optimize and personalize psychological treatment for cancer patients with this type of emotional distress.
医疗水平的提高使癌症幸存者群体不断扩大。该群体中情感问题的发生率较高，其中对癌症复发的恐惧（FCR）是最普遍且令人痛苦的状况之一。为了更深入了解影响FCR水平的心理机制，本研究考察了乳腺癌患者完美主义与FCR之间的关系，以及不确定性不耐受（IU）和应对方式在这一关系中的中介作用。为了更全面地理解与乳腺癌患者FCR体验相关的机制，本研究旨在探讨完美主义与FCR之间的关系，将IU和应对策略作为可能的中介因素。
146名乳腺癌患者在完成医疗治疗至少一年后，填写了经过验证的荷兰语版FCR量表、多维完美主义量表、不确定性不耐受量表和乌得勒支应对清单。进行相关分析以确定FCR、完美主义、IU、应对方式与人口统计学/医学变量之间的关联。使用PROCESS程序检验中介机制。
发现完美主义与FCR之间存在显著相关性（r = 0.19，p = 0.024）。发现IU在完美主义与FCR之间起中介作用。相比之下，应对方式并未成为显著的中介因素。
本研究表明，不确定性不耐受在完美主义与FCR之间起中介作用。针对FCR的心理干预可能会受益于纳入应对不确定性的特定模块。有必要进行进一步研究，以加深对FCR相关机制的理解，从而优化并个性化针对有此类情感困扰的癌症患者的心理治疗。
