1. A longitudinal investigation of posttraumatic growth in adult patients undergoing treatment for acute leukemia.
- Author
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Danhauer SC, Russell GB, Tedeschi RG, Jesse MT, Vishnevsky T, Daley K, Carroll S, Triplett KN, Calhoun LG, Cann A, and Powell BL
- Subjects
- Academic Medical Centers, Acute Disease, Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Consolidation Chemotherapy psychology, Culture, Defense Mechanisms, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Mood Disorders diagnosis, Mood Disorders psychology, North Carolina, Patient Readmission, Personality Inventory statistics & numerical data, Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma diagnosis, Psychometrics, Sick Role, Young Adult, Induction Chemotherapy psychology, Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute drug therapy, Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute psychology, Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma drug therapy, Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma psychology, Quality of Life psychology, Resilience, Psychological, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic diagnosis, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic psychology
- Abstract
An acute leukemia diagnosis can be an extremely stressful experience for most patients. Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is positive psychological change experienced following a struggle with highly challenging life circumstances. The current study is the first longitudinal investigation of predictors of PTG and distress in adult acute leukemia patients undergoing induction chemotherapy. Findings suggest that these patients report PTG, and levels of PTG appear to increase over the weeks following leukemia diagnosis and induction chemotherapy. Variables associated with higher total PTG scores over time included greater number of days from baseline, younger age, and greater challenge to core beliefs. Variables associated with higher distress included greater number of days from baseline, greater perceived cancer threat, higher symptom severity, and lower spiritual well-being. Results underscore the critical role that examination of one's core beliefs may play in the development of PTG over time.
- Published
- 2013
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