Attribution of blame, self-forgiving attitude and psychological adjustment in women with breast cancer

Lois C. Friedman, Catherine Romero, Richard Elledge, Jenny C. Chang, Mamta Kalidas, Mario F. Dulay, Garrett R. Lynch, C. Kent Osborne

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

54 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among self-blame for developing breast cancer, a self-forgiving attitude, mood, and quality of life among women with breast cancer. In this cross-sectional study, 123 women with Stages 0-III breast cancer completed questionnaires measuring demographic and medical characteristics, self-blame, self-forgiveness, mood, and quality of life. Women who blamed themselves reported more mood disturbance (p ≤ .001) and poorer quality of life (p < .001) than those who did not blame themselves. Mediational analyses revealed that self-blame for cancer partially mediated the relationships between a self-forgiving attitude and both mood disturbance and quality of life (Z = -2.72, p = .006 and Z = -2.89, p = .004, respectively). Patients may benefit from a discussion with their oncologists and other healthcare providers about self-forgiveness and the potential benefits of reducing self-blame to facilitate adjustment to breast cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)351-357
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Behavioral Medicine
Volume30
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2007

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Psychological adjustment
  • Self-blame
  • Self-forgiveness

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychology(all)
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Clinical Psychology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Attribution of blame, self-forgiving attitude and psychological adjustment in women with breast cancer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this