Cognitive mechanisms explaining the relationship between post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth in survivors of breast cancer

Mirabolfathi, V., Ayoubi, F., Nouri, A., Moradi, A., Jobson, L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1534-897X and Derakshan, N. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7780-4435 (2025) Cognitive mechanisms explaining the relationship between post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth in survivors of breast cancer. Current Oncology, 32 (12). 666. ISSN 1718-7729 doi: 10.3390/curroncol32120666

Abstract/Summary

Background: The ability to derive growth from a traumatic event, such as a cancer diagnosis, can facilitate effective adaptation to the challenges associated with cancer survivorship. Objective: In two studies, we investigated the possible cognitive mechanisms explaining the relationship between post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth in female survivors of breast cancer. Specifically, Study 1 examined the role of interpretation bias, and Study 2 examined the role of cognitive restructuring of trauma. Methods: In Study 1, 113 participants completed questionnaires assessing stress- and anxiety-related symptomatology, post-traumatic stress and growth, perceived cognitive functioning, and positive interpretation bias. In Study 2, 117 participants completed questionnaires assessing stress and anxiety-related symptoms, rumination, perceived cognitive functioning, cognitive restructuring of trauma, and post-traumatic stress and growth. Results: In both studies, post-traumatic stress was negatively related to post-traumatic growth. In Study 1, positive interpretation bias explained a significant amount of variance in the relationship between post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth, with perceived cognitive functioning moderating the relationship between interpretation bias and post-traumatic growth. In Study 2, cognitive restructuring explained a significant amount of variance in the relationship between post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth, with deliberate rumination moderating the effects of cognitive restructuring on post-traumatic growth. Conclusions: Cognitive mechanisms are key to understanding the relationship between post-traumatic stress and growth and should be targeted in interventions to improve cognitive flexibility and resilience among breast cancer survivors.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/id/eprint/127400
Identification Number/DOI	10.3390/curroncol32120666
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Psychology
Publisher	MDPI AG
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