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Psychosocial Factors Associated with Quality of Life Among Individuals Attending Genetic Counseling for Hereditary Cancer
Author(s) -
Carlsson Anniken Hamang,
Bjorvatn Cathrine,
Engebretsen Lars Fredrik,
Berglund Gunilla,
Natvig Gerd Karin
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of genetic counseling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1573-3599
pISSN - 1059-7700
DOI - 10.1023/b:jogc.0000044202.95768.b3
Subject(s) - psychosocial , quality of life (healthcare) , social support , genetic counseling , mental health , distress , medicine , clinical psychology , self efficacy , cancer , psychiatry , psychology , nursing , psychotherapist , biology , genetics
The aim of this multicenter study was to explore associations between psychosocial factors (general self‐efficacy, perceived availability of social support, cancer‐related distress) and health‐related quality of life, among individuals at risk for hereditary cancer. One‐hundred and twenty one participants with a family history of breast‐cancer or colorectal cancer answered a questionnaire 2–4 weeks prior to genetic counseling. The two dimensions of the health‐related quality of life measure, mental and physical health were both used as outcome variables. Multiple regression (linear) analyses revealed that increasing degrees of cancer‐related distress was related to decreasing degrees of mental health whereas increasing degrees of self‐efficacy and social support were related to increasing degrees of this outcome variable. Self‐efficacy, self‐esteem support and tangible aid seemed to moderate the relationship between cancer‐related distress and mental health. These results suggest that self‐efficacy and certain resources of social support buffer the negative association between cancer‐related distress and mental health, and might be suitable for interventional efforts. Implications for genetic counseling practice are discussed.