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Self-blame, Self-forgiveness, and Spirituality in Breast Cancer Survivors in a Public Sector Setting

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Abstract

Cognitive appraisal affects adjustment to breast cancer. A self-forgiving attitude and spirituality may benefit breast cancer survivors who blame themselves for their cancer. One hundred and eight women with early breast cancers completed questionnaires assessing self-blame, self-forgiveness, spirituality, mood and quality of life (QoL) in an outpatient breast clinic. Women who blamed themselves reported more mood disturbance (p < 0.01) and poorer QoL (p < 0.01). Women who were more self-forgiving and more spiritual reported less mood disturbance and better QoL (p’s < 0.01). Interventions that reduce self-blame and facilitate self-forgiveness and spirituality could promote better adjustment to breast cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Ireland Cancer Center, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA

    Lois C. Friedman

  2. Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Catherine R. Barber

  3. Dan Duncan Cancer Center and Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Jenny Chang, Yee Lu Tham, Mothaffar F. Rimawi & Richard Elledge

  4. Austin Diagnostic Clinic, Austin, TX, USA

    Mamta Kalidas

  5. Department of Neurosurgery, The Methodist Hospital Neurological Institute, Houston, TX, USA

    Mario F. Dulay

Authors
  1. Lois C. Friedman
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  2. Catherine R. Barber
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  3. Jenny Chang
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  4. Yee Lu Tham
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  5. Mamta Kalidas
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  6. Mothaffar F. Rimawi
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  7. Mario F. Dulay
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  8. Richard Elledge
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Correspondence to Lois C. Friedman.

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Friedman, L.C., Barber, C.R., Chang, J. et al. Self-blame, Self-forgiveness, and Spirituality in Breast Cancer Survivors in a Public Sector Setting. J Canc Educ 25, 343–348 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-010-0048-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-010-0048-3

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