The Prediction of Benefit Finding in Cancer Based on Demographic and Clinical Characteristics, Illness Cognition, and Emotional Processing in Patients Referred to Kosar Specialized Clinic in Semnan in 2020: A Descriptive Study

In every disease there are always opportunities for improvement of the individual status, part of which is affected by person's psychological status. Therefore, this study aimed to predict benefit finding in cancer based on demographic and clinical characteristics, illness cognition, and emotional processing in cancer patients.

This descriptive study was performed on patients aged 23 to 82 years with cancer in 2020 in Semnan city. The statistical sample consisted of 311 people who were selected by convenience sampling method. They responded to Benefit Finding Scale (BFS), Illness Cognition Questionnaire (ICQ), Emotional Processing Scale (EPS), and demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire. Data were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis using the simultaneous entry method.

The results of correlation test showed that illness cognition, emotional processing, and demographic and clinical characteristics (education, duration of diagnosis, age) had a significant relationship with benefit finding (p<0.05). The results of multiple regression showed that a total of 32% of benefit finding changes were explained by predictor variables; out of which variables of illness cognition (β= 0.377, p<0.001), demographic and clinical characteristics (β= - 0.241, p<0.001), and emotional processing (β= 0.221, p<0.001) had the largest share in explaining the benefit finding in cancer patients, respectively.

Due to the existence of benefit finding in cancer patients and its relationship with psychological, demographic and clinical factors, the care givers and treatment team should consider the benefit finding in cancer and the factors affecting it, and in holistic measures, provide effective actions.