Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
Volume 55, Issue 2 , Pages 176-183, February 2002

Changes in physical functioning and quality of life in patients with cancer:

Response shift and relative evaluation of one's condition

  • Mariët Hagedoorn

      Affiliations

    • Northern Centre for Healthcare Research, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 196, 9700 AD Groningen, The Netherlands
    • Department of Public Health and Health Psychology, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 196, 9700 AD Groningen, The Netherlands
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +31 50 3633171; fax: +31 50 3632406. E-mail address:(M. Hagedoorn)
    • ,
  • Kommer C.A Sneeuw

      Affiliations

    • TNO Prevention and Health, Leiden, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • Neil K Aaronson

      Affiliations

    • Division of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Received 6 March 2001; received in revised form 9 July 2001; accepted 30 July 2001.

Abstract 

This study examined the hypothesis that patients' persistence in comparing themselves with others who are perceived as being worse off might induce a response shift in self-reported quality of life (QL). Specifically, we tested whether patients' ratings of how they are doing compared to others (i.e., relative evaluation) moderates the link between physical deterioration and decline in self-reported QL. Two hundred forty patients with various cancer diagnoses who were undergoing palliative chemotherapy rated their physical functioning and QL (i.e., emotional functioning and global quality of life) twice with an interval of 3 months. In addition, a significant other and a research assistant rated the physical condition of the patients. Consistent with the buffering model of response shift, patients who felt that they were better off than others appeared to be able to sustain their quality of life in the face of a worsening physical condition. In contrast, those who felt the same or worse off than others could not.

Keywords:  Cancer patients, Physical functioning, Emotional functioning, Global quality of life, Relative evaluation, Response shift

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0895-4356(01)00438-3

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
Volume 55, Issue 2 , Pages 176-183, February 2002

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution