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Applying a Biopsychosocial Perspective to Investigate Factors Related to Emotional Adjustment and Quality of Life for Individuals With Brain Tumour

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Tamara Ownsworth ,
Anna L. Hawkes ,
Suzanne Chambers ,
David G. Walker  and
David Shum
Tamara Ownsworth*
Affiliation:
School of Psychology and Griffith Institute for Health and Medical Research, Griffith University, Australia. [email protected]
Anna L. Hawkes
Affiliation:
Viertel Centre for Research in Cancer Control, Cancer Council Queensland, Australia; School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences, James Cook University, Australia.
Suzanne Chambers
Affiliation:
School of Psychology and Griffith Institute for Health and Medical Research, Griffith University, Australia; Viertel Centre for Research in Cancer Control, Cancer Council Queensland, Australia.
David G. Walker
Affiliation:
Briz Brain and Spine Pty Ltd, Brisbane, Australia.
David Shum
Affiliation:
School of Psychology and Griffith Institute for Health and Medical Research, Griffith University, Australia.
*
*Address for correspondence: Tamara Ownsworth, PhD, School of Psychology. Griffith University, Mt Gravatt Campus, Nathan QLD 4111, Australia.
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Abstract

Objective: This exploratory study applied a biopsychosocial perspective to investigate cognitive and psychosocial factors related to emotional adjustment and QoL after brain tumour. Methods: Participants included 30 adults with a brain tumour (60% benign and 40% malignant) who were aged 28 to 71 years (M = 51.5, SD = 12.3) and on average 5.4 years post-diagnosis (SD = 5.6 years). Participants completed a brief battery of cognitive tests and self-report measures of emotional status (Depression, Anxiety Stress Scale), subjective impairment (Patient Competency Rating Scale), coping (COPE), social support (Brief Social Support Questionnaire), and QoL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy — Brain Tumour [FACT-Br]). Results: QoL was significantly associated with global cognitive ability (r = .49, p < .01), subjective impairment (r = .66, p < .01), and satisfaction with support (r = .50, p < .05). Level of depressive symptoms was significantly correlated with premorbid IQ (r = -.49, p < .01), use of planning to cope (r = -.48, p < .01), and satisfaction with support (r = -.47, p < .01). Conclusions: Overall, these exploratory findings indicate that emotional adjustment and QoL after brain tumour is related to a slightly different pattern of neuropsychological, psychological (self-perceptions and coping) and social factors. The clinical implications for interventions with individuals with brain tumour are discussed.

Keywords

brain tumourquality of lifeemotional adjustment
Type
Articles
Information
Brain Impairment , Volume 11 , Issue 3 , 01 December 2010 , pp. 270 - 280
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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