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Coping with radiation therapy: Optimism and the effect of preparatory interventions
Author(s) -
Johnson Jean E.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
research in nursing and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1098-240X
pISSN - 0160-6891
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-240x(199602)19:1<3::aid-nur1>3.0.co;2-s
Subject(s) - pessimism , optimism , coping (psychology) , psychological intervention , mood , psychology , self care , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , medicine , physical therapy , health care , psychiatry , philosophy , epistemology , economics , economic growth
To test the hypotheses that pessimists might benefit from concrete objective information based on self‐regulation theory and that optimists might benefit from instruction in self‐care and coping based on self‐care theory, 62 patients receiving radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer were studied. The two experimental and control intervention messages were given three times during and three times after RT. Mood and disruption of activities were assessed three times during and three times after RT. The self‐care instruction had no effects on either outcome. The prediction from self‐regulation theory was supported, in part, with concrete objective information having a positive effect on mood among pessimistic patients. Concrete objective information resulted in less recreation and pastime disruption in both optimistic and pessimistic patients at the times they experienced the most RT side effects. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.