Premium
Audiotaped social comparison information for cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: Differential effects of procedural, emotional and coping information
Author(s) -
Bennenbroek Femke T.C.,
Buunk Bram P.,
Stiegelis Heidi E.,
Hagedoorn Mariët,
Sanderman Robbert,
Van den Bergh Alfons C.M.,
Botke Gerrit
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.674
Subject(s) - coping (psychology) , feeling , mood , psychology , clinical psychology , radiation therapy , psychotherapist , medicine , social psychology
The present study focused on the effects of social comparison information on subjective understanding of radiation therapy, validation of emotions, and self‐efficacy of cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. The effects of three different audiotapes, containing different kinds of social comparison information, were examined. On the procedural tape a man and woman discussed their illness and radiation treatment, on the emotion tape they focused on the emotional aspects of these issues, and on the coping tape they focused on the way they had been coping. The effects of these tapes were measured on subjective understanding about radiation therapy, validation and recognition of emotions, self‐efficacy, and mood. The results indicate positive effects of the tapes, especially of the procedural and the coping tape. These audiotapes increased understanding of radiation therapy, self‐efficacy and the feeling of validation of emotions. Therefore, these tapes may be an important supplement to existing patient education information. Possible explanations and practical implications are discussed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.