Pessimism Predicts Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life in Female Cancer Patients

作者：Zenger Markus^*; Glaesmer Heide; Hoeckel Michael; Hinz Andreas

来源：Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2011, 41(1): 87-94.

DOI：10.1093/jjco/hyq168

• oncology
• optimism
• anxiety
• depression
• quality of life

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of optimism/pessimism for anxiety, depression and health-related quality of life in female cancer patients, quantified with and without controlling the corresponding base level.
A total of 97 women with breast cancer and other gynaecological cancer completed the Life Orientation Test, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Health Survey SF-8 at three time points: during their stay in the hospital (T1), 2 weeks later (T2) and 3 months later (T3).
The degree of self-assessed pessimism at T1 was significantly associated with anxiety, depression and health-related quality of life at T3. After controlling for the base levels of anxiety, depression and health-related quality of life, only the predictive value of pessimism remained significant and substantial.
Especially, women with a high level of pessimism are at risk for higher levels of anxiety and depression in addition to lowered health-related quality of life in the course of the disease. The results indicate that it seems to be more important not to be pessimistic than to be optimistic.

• 出版日期2011-1