Celia C Y Wong1, Bradley M Pan-Weisz2, Tonya M Pan-Weisz3,4, Nelson C Y Yeung5, Winnie W S Mak6, Qian Lu7,8. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Houston, 126 Heyne Bldg, Houston, TX, 77204-2616, USA. 2. Department of Psychology, California State University, 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA, 90840, USA. 3. University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University, 6363 Alvarado Court, Suite 102, San Diego, CA, 92120-4913, USA. 4. Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA. 5. JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong. 6. Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 3/F Sino Building, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong. 7. Department of Psychology, University of Houston, 126 Heyne Bldg, Houston, TX, 77204-2616, USA. qlu@mdanderson.org. 8. Department of Health Disparity Research-UNIT 1440, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 301402, Houston, TX, 77230-1402, USA. qlu@mdanderson.org.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It is common for Chinese American breast cancer survivors to believe that having cancer is a stigmatizing condition. Little research exists on how this might affect their quality of life (QoL) and through which psychological processes. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we examined the association between self-stigma and QoL in a sample of Chinese American breast cancer survivors and tested the potential mediating roles of intrusive thoughts and posttraumatic growth in this relationship. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-six Chinese American breast cancer survivors completed a questionnaire packet assessing their levels of self-stigma, intrusive thoughts, posttraumatic growth, and QoL. RESULTS: As hypothesized, findings indicated a significant negative correlation between self-stigma and QoL. Findings from a path analysis indicated significant indirect effects of self-stigma on QoL through intrusive thoughts and posttraumatic growth-the negative correlation between self-stigma and QoL was completely mediated by more intrusive thoughts and less posttraumatic growth. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that self-stigma may harm QoL among Chinese American breast cancer survivors by leading to more intrusive thoughts and not focusing on posttraumatic growth. To attenuate the negative impact of self-stigma on QoL among Chinese American breast cancer survivors, cognition-focused interventions should be utilized to reduce intrusive thoughts and foster posttraumatic growth.
BACKGROUND: It is common for Chinese American breast cancer survivors to believe that having cancer is a stigmatizing condition. Little research exists on how this might affect their quality of life (QoL) and through which psychological processes. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we examined the association between self-stigma and QoL in a sample of Chinese American breast cancer survivors and tested the potential mediating roles of intrusive thoughts and posttraumatic growth in this relationship. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-six Chinese American breast cancer survivors completed a questionnaire packet assessing their levels of self-stigma, intrusive thoughts, posttraumatic growth, and QoL. RESULTS: As hypothesized, findings indicated a significant negative correlation between self-stigma and QoL. Findings from a path analysis indicated significant indirect effects of self-stigma on QoL through intrusive thoughts and posttraumatic growth-the negative correlation between self-stigma and QoL was completely mediated by more intrusive thoughts and less posttraumatic growth. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that self-stigma may harm QoL among Chinese American breast cancer survivors by leading to more intrusive thoughts and not focusing on posttraumatic growth. To attenuate the negative impact of self-stigma on QoL among Chinese American breast cancer survivors, cognition-focused interventions should be utilized to reduce intrusive thoughts and foster posttraumatic growth.
Entities:
Keywords:
Asian Americans; Breast cancer; Chinese Americans; Oncology; Quality of life; Stigma; Trauma