Appearance concerns and psychosocial adjustment following head and neck cancer: A cross-sectional study and nine-month follow-up

Clarke, Sally Ann; Newell, Robert; Thompson, Andrew; Harcourt, Diana; Lindenmeyer, Antje

Abstract

Psychosocial difficulties have been reported in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, yet only few studies have assessed the impact of altered appearance following HNC treatment using theoretically selected measures of appearance-related distress. This study investigated appearance-related adjustment following HNC, and demographic and socio-cognitive predictors of adjustment. HNC patients (n = 49) completed baseline questionnaires and a nine-month postal follow-up (n = 20). Participants showed considerable variation in appearance-related adjustment, with females reporting higher levels of appearance-related distress (derriford appearance scale [DAS-24]) than females in the general population and male HNC survivors. Depression scores on the hospital anxiety and depression scale were higher than UK norms whilst anxiety was similar to UK norms. There were no significant differences between baseline and follow-up data. Fear of negative evaluation (a central feature of social anxiety) was a significant predictor of appearance-related adjustment at baseline, whilst dispositional optimism was a significant predictor of appearance-related adjustment at baseline and follow-up. Qualitative responses showed themes of appearance and disability, and coping strategies. Findings suggest that appearance-related adjustment post-HNC varies considerably and psychosocial services working with HNC patients should consider this broad pattern of response. Future research to examine the role of socio-cognitive predictors of appearance-related adjustment could progress development of effective psychological interventions. © 2013 Taylor and Francis.

Citation

Clarke, S. A., Newell, R., Thompson, A., Harcourt, D., & Lindenmeyer, A. (2014). Appearance concerns and psychosocial adjustment following head and neck cancer: A cross-sectional study and nine-month follow-up. Psychology, Health and Medicine, 19(5), 505-518. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2013.855319

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Sep 3, 2014
• Deposit Date: Aug 19, 2015
• Journal: Psychology, Health and Medicine
• Print ISSN: 1354-8506
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 505-518
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2013.855319
• Keywords: oncology, head and neck cancer, psychosocial adjustment, appearance, visible difference
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/823683
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2013.855319