Cancer's aftermath: posttraumatic growth as an intermediate step to perceived benefits.

BACKGROUND: The need to develop understanding of the posttraumatic growth (PTG) in the population of cancer survivors has increased in recent years. The daily functioning of cancer survivors involves factors that affect the development of PTG and the process by which it arises. OBJECTIVES: The main objective was to explore PTG process and its influencing factors in cancer survivors. METHODS: Using qualitative research design, the study applied in-depth interviews and the method of life-line drawing with seven female cancer survivors, aged between 49 and 73. Data were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. RESULTS: The main category in the process is persistence in consequences associated with two categories of triggers, external and internal. The various outcomes (PTG, acceptance, uncertainty) depend on perceived possibility of taking control over consequences in cancer survivors. PTG is a result of individual accommodation of illness consequences in which taking control and accommodation lead to self-regulation of pain, self-confidence, and positive self-image. CONCLUSION: Possibility of taking control over the disease consequences and active approach to acquiring new skills are central explanatory variables modifying the process of persistence in consequences of illness and the reasons of PTG. The PTG model has the potential to be adapted to other cancer-related outcomes that are relevant to the daily lives of cancer survivors.

Internal consistency and factorial validity of the Slovak Version of the Young Schema Questionnaire - Short Form 3 (YSQ-S3).

OBJECTIVE: Young schema questionnaire - short form (YSQ-S3) represents a useful method for the identification of early maladaptive schemas in clinical and non-clinical samples. The study aimed to examine the internal consistency and factorial structure of the recently adapted Slovak version of YSQ-S3 in a non-clinical sample. METHODS: The sample consisted of 302 healthy participants from the general population in Slovakia. Slovak version of YSQ-S3 was used. Reliability analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed. RESULTS: The results suggest an acceptable internal consistency of early maladaptive schemas (EMSs). The Cronbach's alpha coefficients of YSQ-S3 subscales ranged from 0.54 to 0.85. Confirmatory factor analysis supports the factor structures of 18 unifactorial EMSs. The results partially support Young's theoretical schema clusters and fail to support the second-order factor model. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the Slovak version of the YSQ-S3 is a psychometrically sound questionnaire that can be utilized for assessing EMS, both for research and clinical purposes.

Faces Anxiety Scale as a screening measure of preoperative anxiety: Validation and diagnostic accuracy study.

AIM: The aim of the study was to examine validity and diagnostic accuracy of the single-item Faces Anxiety Scale for the purposes of preoperative anxiety screening. BACKGROUND: Anxiety is common in most patients expecting surgery interfering with patients' recovery. Valid and reliable measures for situations with limited time for assessment are needed. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to collect the data from both self-report and rating instruments. METHODS: We enrolled 90 consecutive patients admitted for surgery in a university-affiliated hospital from January 2013 to June 2013. Patients were administered the anxiety state subscale of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and they were presented the Faces Anxiety Scale. At the same time, patients' anxiety was rated by a nurse. RESULTS: The correlations among scores of self-report instruments, rating scale, and the Faces Anxiety Scale were high and statistically significant. Of the Faces Anxiety Scale cut-off scores tested, the cut-off score > 2 has an optimal combination of sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION: The Faces Anxiety Scale is valid and easy to administer. The scale is useful in settings where fast and precise screening is necessary.