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Illness representations, coping, and illness outcomes in people with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Citation

Richardson, EM and Schuz, N and Sanderson, K and Scott, JL and Schuz, B, Illness representations, coping, and illness outcomes in people with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Psycho-Oncology, 26, (6) pp. 724-737. ISSN 1057-9249 (2016) [Refereed Article]


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Copyright Statement

Copyright 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Emma M. Richardson, Natalie Schüz, Kristy Sanderson, Jenn L. Scott, and Benjamin Schüz, 2016, Illness Representations, Coping, and Illness Outcomes in People with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Psycho-Oncology, 21/8/16, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pon.4213. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.

DOI: doi:10.1002/pon.4213

Abstract

Objective: Cancer is associated with negative health and emotional outcomes in those affected by it, suggesting the need to better understand the psychosocial determinants of illness outcomes and coping. The Common Sense Model (CSM) is the leading psychological model of self-regulation in the face of illness, and assumes that subjective illness representations explain how people attempt to cope with illness. This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the associations of the CSM's illness representation dimensions with health and coping outcomes in people with cancer.

Methods: A systematic literature search located 54 studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria, with 38 providing sufficient data for meta-analysis. A narrative review of remaining studies was also conducted.

Results: Random-effects models revealed small to moderate effect sizes (Fischer's Z) for the relations between illness representations and coping behaviours (in particular between control perceptions, problem-focused coping, and cognitive reappraisal), and moderate to large effect sizes between illness representations and illness outcomes (in particular between identity, consequences, emotional representations, and psychological distress). The narrative review of studies with insufficient data provided similar results.

Conclusions: The results indicate how illness representations relate to illness outcomes in people with cancer. However, more high quality studies are needed to examine causal effects of illness representations on coping and outcomes. High heterogeneity indicates potential moderators of the relationships between illness representations and health and coping outcomes, including diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment related variables. This review can inform the design of interventions to improve coping strategies and mental health outcomes in people with cancer.

Item Details

Item Type:Refereed Article
Keywords:cancer, common sense model of illness representations, illness perceptions, oncology, systematic review and meta-analysis
Research Division:Psychology
Research Group:Clinical and health psychology
Research Field:Health psychology
Objective Division:Health
Objective Group:Public health (excl. specific population health)
Objective Field:Behaviour and health
UTAS Author:Richardson, EM (Dr Emma Richardson)
UTAS Author:Schuz, N (Dr Natalie Schuez)
UTAS Author:Sanderson, K (Associate Professor Kristy Sanderson)
UTAS Author:Scott, JL (Professor Jenn Scott)
UTAS Author:Schuz, B (Dr Benjamin Schuez)
ID Code:110173
Year Published:2016
Web of Science® Times Cited:85
Deposited By:Psychology
Deposited On:2016-07-18
Last Modified:2022-08-29
Downloads:76 View Download Statistics

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