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A one-year follow-up of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and perceived social support in cancer

Un suivi d’un an des symptômes du syndrome de stress post-traumatique (SSPT) et de la perception du soutien social chez les patients atteints d’un cancer

Psycho-Oncologie

Abstract

Aims

Diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in cancer patients fluctuates over the course of cancer according to the timing of assessment. In this longitudinal study, the prevalence of PTSD symptoms and the association between PTSD symptoms and the buffering variable of perceived social support were examined at one year follow-up.

Procedure

People with different types of cancer were assessed (breast cancer, head and neck cancer, and colorectal tumor) on four occasions: pre-treatment, at the end of cancer treatment, at six months post-treatment, and at one year posttreatment. Multivariate analyses were used to assess associations of perceived social support in patients with PTSD symptoms at the aforementioned four time points.

Results

No significant differences in perceived social support were found at the various follow-up times. However, diagnosis of PTSD symptoms showed differences based on the time of assessment (F = 5.50, p = 0.02). At pre- and post-treatment, social support was negatively related to re-experiencing (p < 0.00) and numbing (p < 0.00) PTSD symptoms. At six months post-treatment, social support was negatively related to all symptoms of PTSD (p < 0.00). Finally, at one year post-treatment, perceived social support was negatively related only to numbing symptoms (p < 0.00) of PTSD.

Conclusion

Over the course of cancer, buffering effect of perceived social support had a specific influence on PTSD symptoms.

Résumé

Objectifs

Le diagnostic des symptômes de syndrome de stress post-traumatique (SSPT) chez les patients atteints d’un cancer varie au fil de la maladie, en fonction du moment de l’évaluation. Dans cette étude longitudinale, la prévalence des symptômes de SSPT et le lien entre ces symptômes de SSPT et la variable tampon du soutien social perçu ont fait l’objet d’un examen sur un suivi d’une année.

Mode opératoire

Des personnes atteintes de divers types de cancer ont été évaluées (cancer du sein, tumeur au cerveau et à la gorge et colorectale) à quatre moments: en prétraitement, à la fin du traitement contre le cancer, à six mois de posttraitement et un an après le posttraitement. Des analyses multidimensionnelles ont évalué les liens avec la perception du soutien social chez les patients souffrant de symptômes de SSPT aux quatre moments précités.

Résultats

Aucune différence significative dans la perception du soutien social n’a été constatée aux divers moments du suivi. Toutefois, le diagnostic des symptômes de SSPT a montré des écarts fondés sur le moment de l’évaluation (F = 5,50, p = 0,02). Lors du pré- et du posttraitement, le soutien social a été négativement associé au fait de revivre l’expérience (p < 0,00) et à des symptômes de SSPT de repli sur soi (p < 0,00). À six mois de posttraitement, le soutien social a été négativement associé à l’ensemble des symptômes de SSPT (p < 0,00). Enfin, à un an de posttraitement, le soutien social perçu a été négativement associé aux symptômes de SSPT de repli sur soi (p < 0,00).

Conclusion

Au fil du cancer, l’effet tampon du soutien social perçu a eu une influence spécifique sur les symptômes de SSPT.

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Costa-Requena, G., Ballester-Arnal, R., Qureshi, A. et al. A one-year follow-up of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and perceived social support in cancer. Psycho Oncologie 8, 89–93 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11839-014-0462-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11839-014-0462-6

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