Cognitive Representation of Illness, coping and well being in Cancer patients

Cancer can have substantial psychological consequences, but there has been a fewer researches in India looking at patients’ beliefs about their condition and how they relate to psychological well being and quality of life (QoL). Hence, the present endeavour has investigated the relationships between cognitive representation of illness, coping, psychological well being and QoL in patients getting treatment for either mouth/neck cancer (M & N) or breast cancer. In total, 120 individuals with [60 mouth or neck cancer patients (all male) and 60 breast cancer patients (all female)] had participated (Mean age=47.70 years). Participants completed questionnaire comprising the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire, WHO Quality of life (QoL) scale, Ryff Psychological well being questionnaire and the brief COPE. The findings indicated significantly different illness perception and use of coping strategies by two types of cancer patient groups. Furthermore, these groups had been differently evaluating their well being. The results of stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that four components of illness perception scale i.e. timeline, consequences, emotional response and overall illness perception had emerged as significant predictors of psychological well being and emotional response, whereas illness perception had emerged as significant predictors of QOl. The cognitive representation of illness had negative impact on well being. The strong relationships found between patients’ beliefs about their condition and well being suggests that health professionals should recognize the psychological impact of cancer and address negative beliefs and emotions surrounding the condition in treatment programs