Benefit finding, posttraumatic growth and health-related quality of life in long-term cancer survivors: a prospective population-based study

BackgroundWe explored the relationship between benefit finding (BF)/posttraumatic growth (PTG) at baseline and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at baseline and follow-up in long-term cancer survivors (LTCS; & GE;5-year post-diagnosis).Materials and methodsHRQOL was assessed in LTCS in 2009-2011 (5- to 16-year post-diagnosis, baseline) and re-assessed in 2018/2019 (14- to 24-year post-diagnosis, follow-up). BF and PTG were measured at baseline; mean scores were dichotomized into 'none-to-low' (<3) and 'moderate-to-high' (> =3). Linear regression models and linear mixed regression models were employed to assess the association of BF/PTG with HRQOL.ResultsOf the 6057 baseline participants, 4373 were alive in 2019, of whom 2704 completed the follow-up questionnaire. Cross-sectionally, LTCS with none-to-low BF reported better HRQOL at baseline and at follow-up than LTCS with higher BF. Longitudinally, no difference was found between none-to-low and moderate-to-high BF on the HRQOL change from baseline to follow-up. HRQOL differences between the PTG groups were not statistically significant cross-sectionally and longitudinally, except those participants with moderate-to-high PTG reported higher role functioning and global health status/QOL.ConclusionsCross-sectionally, BF was significantly negatively related to subscales of HRQOL, while PTG was positively correlated to role functioning and global health status/QOL. The results add further evidence that BF and PTG are two different positive psychological concepts.

Automated summary

This study explores the relationship between benefit finding/posttraumatic growth and health-related quality of life in long-term cancer survivors. The results show that lower levels of benefit finding are associated with better quality of life, while posttraumatic growth is associated with role functioning and global health status/quality of life. These findings provide further evidence that benefit finding and posttraumatic growth are two distinct positive psychological concepts.