Abstract

Many cancer patients experience adverse chemotherapy-related side effects. The present study examined the relationships among disease variables (i.e. stage of cancer, type of breast cancer), medical treatment variables (i.e. toxicity of chemotherapy regimen, strength of antiemetic treatment), psychological variables (i.e. health locus of control, anxiety sensitivity, desire for control, coping strategies), and anticipatory nausea and vomiting in women with breast cancer. One hundred women with breast cancer completed the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale - Form C, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index, the Krantz Health Opinion Survey, the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, and the Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Emesis. Consistent with the proposed EQS structural equation model, internal health locus of control, desire for control, and task-oriented coping strategies were predictive of less anticipatory nausea and vomiting. In contrast, chance health locus of control, anxiety sensitivity, and emotion-oriented coping strategies predicted more frequent and severe anticipatory nausea and vomiting. However, contrary to the proposed model, no significant relationships were found between stage of cancer, type of breast cancer, toxicity of chemotherapy regimen, strength of antiemetic treatment, and anticipatory nausea and vomiting. Study limitations, implications of the results, and suggestions for future research are discussed.

LLU Discipline

Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Janet L. Sonne

Second Advisor

Carolyn Brodbeck

Third Advisor

Michael Galbraith

Fourth Advisor

Louis Jenkins

Fifth Advisor

Matt Riggs

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2004

Date (Title Page)

9-2004

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Breast Neoplasms -- drug therapy; Drug Therapy -- psychology; Nausea -- drug therapy; Vomitting, Anticipatory -- psychology; Vomitting, Anticipatory -- drug therapy

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

vi; 108

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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