Cancer Diagnostic Group Differences in Posttraumatic Growth: Accounting for Age, Gender, Trauma Severity, and Distress

Abstract

The type of cancer diagnosed can have a differential impact on postdiagnosis adjustment (e.g., coping strategies, likelihood to complete treatment). Investigations examining cancer diagnostic differences in posttraumatic growth (PTG) are yet to be published. The current study examined 235 participants who had been treated at a regional hospital for all forms of cancer. Group differences in PTG were assessed through a cross-sectional design between breast, prostate, hematological, and colorectal cancer survivors. Results demonstrated that breast cancer survivors reported significantly higher levels of PTG than those diagnosed with colorectal and hematological malignancies, but not significantly different from prostate cancer survivors. While cancer diagnostic group differences in PTG were evident, PTG levels were also positively associated with trauma severity and distress. These results are discussed in terms of developing a postdiagnosis care model that can be utilized across all cancer type diagnoses in order to assist adaptation during this challenging time.