Background: The literature suggests that alexithymia is the result of individual differences and/or biological mechanisms. Both individual differences and disease mechanisms may play a role among individuals with medical or surgical conditions. The relative weight of clinical and individual differences factors related to alexithymia has not been studied in patients with cancer. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which individual differences in perceived stress and biological markers of illness severity are associated with alexithymia among patients with cancer.
Methods: Treated oncologic outpatients (N = 37) were assessed using the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale and Perceived Stress Scale. Alexithymia was examined in relation to perceived stress, tumor staging, and hemoglobin levels.
Results: Among the patients studied, 34.2% endorsed the established cutoff score (≥61) for alexithymia. Higher alexithymia scores were found in patients with more advanced stages of cancer invasion. Alexithymia correlated directly with perceived stress and indirectly with hemoglobin levels. Hemoglobin levels and cancer invasion significantly correlated with alexithymia when controlling for perceived stress.
Conclusions: A significant component of alexithymia in cancer patients may be construed as acquired. But awareness of health status influencing perceived stress might partially mediate the role of cancer invasion and hemoglobin on alexithymia.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3789518 | PMC |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
An exploratory survey assessing the determinants of heat stress and heat strain in the Canadian mining industry from the worker's perspective.
J Occup Environ Hyg
January 2025
Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
With mines extending deeper and rising surface temperatures, workers are exposed to hotter environments. This study aimed to characterize heat stress and strain in the Canadian mining industry and evaluate the utility of the Heat Strain Score Index (HSSI), combined with additional self-reported adverse health outcomes. An exploratory web-based survey was conducted among workers ( = 119) in the Canadian mining industry.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRole of Tailored Timing and Frequency Prompts on the Efficacy of an Internet-Delivered Stress Recovery Intervention for Health Care Workers: Randomized Controlled Trial.
JMIR Ment Health
January 2025
Center for Psychotraumatology, Institute of Psychology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
Background: Prompts offer a promising strategy to promote client engagement in internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT). However, if the prompts do not meet the needs of clients, they can potentially be more obtrusive rather than helpful.
Objective: The aim of this study was to test if prompts tailored based on timing and frequency, aligned with preintervention goal setting, can increase usage and the efficacy of a therapist-supported ICBT stress recovery intervention for health care workers.
Identity as a resource or a demand.
PLoS One
January 2025
Department of Psychology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America.
Individuals embody various social identities that can impact how they interface with the social environment. Stigma theories suggest that members of low-status or marginalized groups possess devalued social identities, and therefore, experience more stress. While social identities can lead to increased stress, individuals' appraisals of their identities are not necessarily perceived as harmful/demanding.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReceived and Desired Support Needs of Postoperative Bariatric Surgery Patients.
Gastroenterol Nurs
January 2025
About the authors: Katherine K. Sink, PhD, APRN-CNS, is a Retired Professor, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio.
Obesity is a worldwide health concern with one highly effective solution being bariatric surgery. The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore the experiences of postoperative bariatric surgery patients related to perceptions of helpful interventions for achieving and maintaining weight loss. Fifteen participants shared their perceived support received and their perceptions of desired support needed after bariatric surgery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChildren's and Their Parents' Experiences With Home-Based Guided Hypnotherapy: Qualitative Study.
JMIR Pediatr Parent
January 2025
Department of Primary- and Long-term Care, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9700 AD, Oostersingel, Groningen, PO-box 196, Netherlands, 31 653445206.
Background: Management of children with functional abdominal pain (FAP) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is difficult in primary care. When education and reassurance do not alleviate symptoms, primary care physicians lack treatment options for children with FAP or IBS. Home-based guided hypnotherapy is a promising treatment because of its accessibility.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!