Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
The utility of Andersen's (1993, 1994) model of psychologic morbidity following cancer treatment for predicting PTSD symptoms in breast cancer survivors (N = 82) was examined. PTSD symptoms, physical comorbidity, social support, depression history, and pre-cancer traumatic stressors were assessed in a structured telephone interview. Multiple regression analysis indicated that Andersen model variables (physical comorbidity, education, disease stage, cancer treatment, depression history, social support) accounted for 39% of variance in PTSD symptom reports (p < .001). Addition to the model of time since treatment completion, pre-cancer traumatic stressors, age at diagnosis, and tamoxifen usage accounted for an additional 16% of variance (p < .001). Higher levels of PTSD symptoms were associated with less social support, greater pre-cancer trauma history, less time since treatment completion, and more advanced disease.
Andrykowski et al. (Wed,) studied this question.