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Posttraumatic Growth Following a Cancer Diagnosis: Do World Assumptions Contribute?

Department of Psychology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia, isla{at}unimelb.edu.au

Vicki A. Anderson

Department of Psychology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia, Department of Psychology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia

Annabel Pollard

Department of Haematology & Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia

Jeffrey Szer

Department of Clinical Haematology & Medical Oncology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia

John F. Seymour

Department of Haematology & Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia

This longitudinal study explored cognitive predictors of posttraumatic growth (PTG) among 62 adults undergoing treatment for newly diagnosed cancer. Examined were the contribution of assumptive world beliefs, cognitive avoidance, cognitive intrusions, sociodemographic and illness-related factors to PTG. All predictors were measured during treatment (M: 37 days post-diagnosis) for a hematologic cancer (T1). World assumptions were measured again along with PTG following primary treatment completion (M: 184 days post-diagnosis [T2]). Multiple regression analyses were conducted to predict the five domains of PTG. The results of the analyses indicated that assumptions of justice and luck positively predicted PTG while lower self worth and self control were related to higher growth. Assumptions did not change between T1 and T2. Contrary to expectations cognitive avoidance positively predicted growth. There was no association between intrusions and growth. On the basis of this study, it is concluded that stronger beliefs in the predictability of life events and less favorable self-views promote PTG early in the cancer experience.

Key Words: Posttraumatic growth • assumptive world • cognitive processing • distress • cancer

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