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Appraisals, Coping Responses, and Attributions as Predictors of Individual Differences in Negative Emotions Among Pediatric Cancer Patients

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Abstract

This study examined individual differences inemotional responses to cancer by applying Lazarus's andWeiner's cognitive models of emotions. Seventy-twoadolescents with cancer completed self-report measures of coping, attributions, and appraisals, andtheir parents reported on behavioral functioning andclinical status. Controlling for illness variables,hypothesized appraisals were significantly associated with trait anger (among boys) and withdepressive symptoms (among girls), not with traitanxiety. Primary appraisals were more stronglyassociated with dependent variables than were secondaryappraisals. There was little support for Weiner's model ofattributions and emotions. Secondary appraisals andattributions might be more influential in determiningaffective responses to stressors with a discoverable cause that can be modified in the future toprevent recurrence.

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Authors
  1. Ellen S. Burgess
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  2. David A. F. Haaga
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Burgess, E.S., Haaga, D.A.F. Appraisals, Coping Responses, and Attributions as Predictors of Individual Differences in Negative Emotions Among Pediatric Cancer Patients. Cognitive Therapy and Research 22, 457–473 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018721615712

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