Correlations and correlates of post-traumatic growth and post-traumatic stress symptoms in patients with breast cancer

Hong Ming Chen, Vincent Chin Hung Chen, Han Pin Hsiao, Yi Ping Weng, Ya Ting Hsu, Jun Cheng Weng, Jian An Su, Yi Lung Chen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Although post-traumatic growth (PTG) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) might develop and coexist after a major trauma, few studies have simultaneously examined them in patients with breast cancer. This study investigated the correlation between PTG and PTSS and their differential correlates in patients with breast cancer. Patients and methods: Overall, 145 patients with breast cancer were recruited. PTG and PTSS were assessed using the PTG inventory and the Chinese version of startle, physiological arousal, anger, and numbness, respectively. We investigated the effects of demographics, chemotherapy, depression, family support, alexithymia, and anxiety symptoms on PTG and PTSS. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to select the independent correlates of PTSS and PTG. Result: An association was observed between PTG and PTSS (r = 0.21). Based on multiple regression models, the common correlate of PTG (β = 0.271) and PTSS (β = 0.212) was anxiety symptoms. Differential independent correlates were years of education (β = 0.272), receiving chemotherapy (β = 0.248), and family support (β = 0.259) for PTG, and chronic pain (β = 0.316) and poor cognition (β = −0.350) for PTSS. Conclusion: Differential correlates were observed for PTG and PTSS in patients with breast cancer. Possible mechanisms and relationships between PTG and PTSS were discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3051-3060
Number of pages10
JournalNeuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
Volume15
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Chen et al.

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Chemotherapy
  • Family support
  • Post-traumatic growth
  • Post-traumatic stress symptoms

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