The goal of the proposed research is to understand factors that may influence women's interpretations of breast cancer experience, namely personal beliefs and interpersonal relationships. A study using both qualitativive and quantitative methods is proposed. Approximately 140 breast cancer survivors will complete standardized paper and pencil questionnaires assessing psychological adjustment, interpretation of the breast cancer experience (including causes, consequences, and controllability), personal beliefs, and interpersonal relationships. Twenty of the respondents will then participate in a semi-structured qualitative interview, focusing on the same issues.
Specific aims of the proposed study are: 1) to determine whether any particular aspect of interpretation is better predictor of psychological adjustment than the others; 2) to identify factors that may influence women's interpretations of breast cancer, specifically personal beliefs and interpersonal relationships; and 3) to test a model in which interpretations mediate the association of personal beliefs and interpersonal relationships to adjustment.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31MH011886-01A1
Application #
2641106
Study Section
Health Behavior and Prevention Review Committee (HBPR)
Program Officer
Altman, Fred
Project Start
1998-10-01
Project End
Budget Start
1998-05-01
Budget End
1999-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
CUNY Graduate School and University Center
Department
Social Sciences
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
620128194
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10016