Objective and subjective stressors and the psychological adjustment of melanoma survivors.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Objective and subjective stressors and the psychological adjustment of melanoma survivors.
Authors:	Hamama-Raz, Y., Solomon, Z., Schachter, J., Azizi, E.
Source:	Psycho-Oncology. Apr2007, Vol. 16 Issue 4, p287-294. 8p. 4 Charts.
Subjects:	Cancer patients, Oncology, Melanoma, Well-being, Psychological distress, Stress management
Abstract:	This study of 300 melanoma survivors examines the relative contributions of objective illness-related factors (stage of illness at diagnosis, time since diagnosis, and change in physical condition) and of subjective factors (cognitive appraisal) to their psychological adjustment. The findings show that lower appraisal of their situation as a threat, higher appraisal of it as a challenge, and higher appraisal of their subjective ability to cope with it all increased their well-being, while lower threat appraisal and higher appraisal of subjective ability to cope also reduced their distress. These findings, which are consistent with Lazarus and Folkman's stress coping theory, suggest that subjective factors may be more important than objective medical factors in predicting patients' adjustment. With this, more advanced stage at diagnosis contributed to reducing distress, while being married contributed both to higher well-being and reduced distress. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	This study of 300 melanoma survivors examines the relative contributions of objective illness-related factors (stage of illness at diagnosis, time since diagnosis, and change in physical condition) and of subjective factors (cognitive appraisal) to their psychological adjustment. The findings show that lower appraisal of their situation as a threat, higher appraisal of it as a challenge, and higher appraisal of their subjective ability to cope with it all increased their well-being, while lower threat appraisal and higher appraisal of subjective ability to cope also reduced their distress. These findings, which are consistent with Lazarus and Folkman's stress coping theory, suggest that subjective factors may be more important than objective medical factors in predicting patients' adjustment. With this, more advanced stage at diagnosis contributed to reducing distress, while being married contributed both to higher well-being and reduced distress. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	10579249
DOI:	10.1002/pon.1055