New Study on Rumination in Illness

This study looks at how the way that we tend to think a lot about certain things might influence our thoughts and behaviours that relate to acute illness, represented by cancer, and chronic illness, represented by diabetes . Increasing our understanding of how people think in response to illness may help identify individuals who may experience difficulties in adjusting to illness and also guide us in developing ways to help you overcome these difficulties.

Study now open to international participants. Please consider taking part. Click on the link below.

For more information on the study or the Multi-Dimensional Rumination in Illness Scale used in this study, please visit Thinking Style in Illness

Rumination, post-traumatic growth and distress: Structural equation modelling with cancer survivors

Abstract

Objective: Theoretical models of post-traumatic growth (PTG) have been derived in the general trauma literature to describe the post-trauma experience that facilitates the perception of positive life changes. To develop a statistical model identifying factors that are associated with PTG, structural equation modelling (SEM) was used in the current study to assess the relationships between perception of diagnosis severity, rumination, social support, distress, and PTG.
Method: A statistical model of PTG was tested in a sample of participants diagnosed with a variety of cancers (N5313).
Results: An initial principal components analysis of the measure used to assess rumination revealed three components: intrusive rumination, deliberate rumination of benefits, and life purpose rumination. SEM results indicated that the model fit the data well and that 30% of the variance in PTG was explained by the variables. Trauma severity was directly related to distress, but not to PTG. Deliberately ruminating on benefits and social support were directly related to PTG. Life purpose rumination and intrusive rumination were associated with distress.
Conclusions: The model showed that in addition to having unique correlating factors, distress was not related to PTG, thereby providing support for the notion that these are discrete constructs in the post-diagnosis experience. The statistical model provides support that postdiagnosis experience is simultaneously shaped by positive and negative life changes and that one or the other outcome may be prevalent or may occur concurrently. As such, an implication for practice is the need for supportive care that is holistic in nature.

Morris, B. A., & Shakespeare-Finch, J. (2010). Rumination, post-traumatic growth and distress: Structural equation modelling with cancer survivors. [Electronic version]. Psycho-Oncology.

Construal level, rumination and psychological distress in palliative care

Abstract

Background Patients with a life-limiting illness, such as cancer, and their carers experience elevated psychological distress. However, the psychological mechanisms underpinning psychological distress in palliative care have been little studied. Recent theories predict that individuals who experience increased uncertainty in the contexdt of ongoing difficulties, such as palliative-care patients and their carers, will (a) think more abstractly; (b) ruminate more; and (c) be more distressed.

Methods Patients (n=36, 90% with cancer), their carers (n=29), and age-matched controls (n = 30) completed standardized questionnaires to assess anxiety, depression, and rumination, and open-ended interviews to identify their concerns and idiosyncratic levels of rumination. Concerns were analyzed linguistically for level of abstraction.

Results As predicted, (i) palliative patients and carers reported significantly more uncertainty, rumination, and abstract thinking than controls; (ii) uncertainty, abstractedness, and rumination were associated with psychological distress.

Conclusions Abstraction and rumination are psychological mechanisms potentially involved in increased psychological distress in palliative care.

Galfin, J. M., & Watkins, E. R. (2011). Construal level, rumination and psychological distress in palliative care. [Electronic version]. Psycho-Oncology.