Self-concept and cancer in adults: Theoretical and methodological issues

Research and theory development on the self-concept have increased dramatically over the last decade. Investigators of the psychosocial aspects of cancer have utilized the self-concept as both an independent and dependent variable. This article discusses quantitative adult studies from the self-concept and cancer literature in terms of their correspondence with current conceptualizations of the self-concept in psychology. The wide gap between recent empirical work and self-concept theorizing is discussed and strategies for future investigations of the self-concept/cancer relationship are outlined.