Abstract

Many cancer patients experience adverse chemotherapy-related side effects. The present study examined whether the perception that one can control and effectively cope with her treatment for breast cancer mitigate against any nausea and vomiting that she may experience in anticipation of chemotherapy treatments. Seventy-five women with breast cancer completed the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale - Form C, the Krantz Health Opinion Survey, the Ways of Coping Scale - Revised, and the Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Emesis. As hypothesized, internal health locus of control was significantly positively related to positive reappraisal coping strategies. This relationship was moderated by desire for control. In contrast, chance health locus of control was significantly positively associated with distancing coping strategies. However, contrary to the hypothesis, this relationship was not moderated by desire for control. The results also indicated that there was a significant positive relationship between distancing coping strategies and the frequency, duration, and severity of both anticipatory nausea and anticipatory vomiting, and a significant negative relationship between positive reappraisal coping strategies and the frequency, duration, and severity of both anticipatory nausea and anticipatory vomiting in women with breast cancer. 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

Louis Jenkins

Third Advisor

Matt L. Riggs

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Level

M.A.

Year Degree Awarded

2000

Date (Title Page)

6-2000

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Breast Neoplasms; Nausea; Adaptation, Psychological

Type

Thesis

Page Count

v; 95

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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