1Dept. of Psychology, University of Mysore, Mysore-570006, India
2Dept. of Psychology, University of Mysore, Mysore-570006, India
3Dept. of Psychology & Counseling, University of Central Arkansas. Conway, AR. USA, 72035. 501/450–5423.
Online published on 14 February, 2012.
Negative thinking is common in those suffering from cancer and their spouses. Recently, it has been suggested that thought control strategies aimed at controlling unwanted thoughts may be used to cope with negative thoughts in both clinical and nonclinical samples. This study tested the relationship between thought control strategies and cancer among spouses of breast, lung and colorectal cancers.
As part of an outcome study on a cognitive-behavioral treatment on spouses of cancer patients, 73 men were administered the Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ), a self-report measure designed to assess individual differences in the use of different thought control strategies.
the data analysis indicate means for three groups of spouses who had experienced mental disorders, those who were diagnosed with Anxiety symptoms, those who were depressed and spouses who suffered from mixed anxiety depression disorder (MAD). Spouses with Anxiety symptoms reported the following means: distraction, 13.32; social control, 17.45; worry, 17. 52; punishment, 11.98; and re-appraisal, 11.49. Spouses with depression reported the following means: distraction, 15.36; social control, 10.57; worry, 9.94; punishment, 16.92; and re-appraisal, 15.89. Spouses who suffer from MAD reported the following means: distraction, 16.86; social control, 17.83; worry, 17.69; punishment, 15.81; and re-appraisal, 14.88.
In the present study we examined the frequency of thought control strategies for spouses of cancer patients with anxiety, depression and MAD. Anxiety patients reported more frequent use of worry and social control strategies, and less frequent use of punishment and re-appraisal. Patients with depression reported more frequent use of Punishment, re-appraisal and distraction and less frequent use of worry and social control. Further, all of the strategies were positively associated with MAD. Findings are discussed in terms of the cognitive model of anxiety, depression and MAD. Psychological intervention would be helpful for many patients.
Thought Control Strategies, Cancer, Family
