Predictors of positive and negative post-traumatic psychological outcomes in a sample of Iranian cancer survivors

Posttraumatic growth in colorectal cancer survivors: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The diagnosis of cancer is an adverse event; nevertheless, it can also exert positive changes on survivors, such as posttraumatic growth (PTG). This review aims to integrate researches on PTG in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors, including manifestations and prevalence of PTG, factors associated with PTG and interventions on PTG.

METHODS

A systematic search was implemented on six databases to identify studies on PTG in CRC survivors published in English or Chinese from October 1995 to May 2022. We also performed a manual search for additional studies from the article reference lists.

RESULTS

Thirty-one studies were included. The results were integrated based on the PTG theoretical framework and PTG affective-cognitive processing model. PTG manifests in CRC survivor-caregiver dyads in five domains, including personal growth, appreciation of life, relating to others, new possibilities and spiritual change. Factors correlated with PTG can be integrated into levels of personality, event cognitions, appraisal mechanisms, emotional states, coping and social environmental context. Elements of interventions can be integrated according to the affective-cognitive processing PTG model. Existing interventions are effective in promoting PTG in CRC survivors.

CONCLUSION

We provide a systematic perspective on studies targeting PTG in CRC survivors. PTG manifested in survivor-caregiver dyads. Factors associated with PTG in CRC survivors are significant, and the interventions are effective. An intervention programme based on the affective-cognitive processing model and focused on CRC survivor-caregiver dyads would be significant for the dyads facing cancer.

Feasibility and acceptability of written exposure therapy in addressing posttraumatic stress disorder in Iranian patients with breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of written exposure therapy (WET) in reducing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Iranian women with breast cancer. Secondary aims included examining the influence of WET on quality of life (QoL), overgeneral memory and illness perceptions.

METHOD

Forty-six females with breast cancer and clinical symptoms of PTSD referred to the Razi Hospital in Rasht, Iran were randomly assigned to either WET (n = 23) or control (n = 23) groups. WET is a 5-session low-intensity exposure-based intervention for treating PTSD. The control group had no additional contact. Measures assessing PTSD, illness perceptions, overgeneral memory, and QoL were administered at baseline, post-intervention and 3-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Acceptability of WET was high; all participants completed all WET sessions. At post-intervention, 95.65% of the WET group met criteria for reliable change and 100% met criteria for minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and clinically significant change in PTSD symptom improvement. At follow-up, all WET participants met criteria for reliable change, MCID and clinically significant change in PTSD symptom improvement. No participants in the control group met reliable change, MCID or clinically significant change. The WET group had improved QoL and memory specificity and decreased threatening illness perceptions at post-intervention and follow-up when compared to controls.

CONCLUSION

WET may be a useful intervention for use with breast cancer patients with PTSD symptoms and may be an important adjunct to medical and pharmacological treatments, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study indicates further research in this area is warranted.

Personality Traits and Coping Strategies Relevant to Posttraumatic Growth in Patients with Cancer and Survivors: A Systematic Literature Review

The possibility of positive psychological changes after cancer, namely, posttraumatic growth, is a growing field of research. Identifying personality traits and coping strategies related to posttraumatic growth may help find vulnerable individuals as well as promote helpful coping strategies to help more patients make positive changes at an early stage. The aim of this systematic literature review is to provide an overview of the quantitative data on coping strategies and personality traits associated with posttraumatic growth in patients with cancer and cancer survivors as well as the methods used in included studies. A systematic literature search was conducted using five databases (PubMed, PubPsych, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and PSYNDEXplus). The 70 reports of included studies assessed posttraumatic growth using questionnaires in a sample of patients with cancer or survivors. In addition, associations with a personality trait or coping strategy had to be examined cross-sectionally or longitudinally. All 1698 articles were screened for titles and abstracts by two authors, after which disputed articles were reviewed by a third author. Afterwards, articles were screened for full texts. Most studies had a cross-sectional design and used a sample of patients with breast cancer. Coping strategies have been researched more than personality factors. The personality traits of resilience, hardiness, dispositional positive affectivity, and dispositional gratitude seem to be related to posttraumatic growth, while the Big Five personality traits (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism) have been less researched and/or seem to be unrelated. The use of social support, religious coping, positive reframing, and reflection during illness as coping strategies seems to be related to posttraumatic growth. The findings can be used for the development of interventions. Future studies should investigate associations longitudinally.