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The influence of uncertainty, optimism, seriousness of the illness, and control over physical function upon psycho-social adjustment in 54 women with gynecologic cancer was studied during the time period between receiving a diagnosis and beginning treatment. Three of the four variables were significantly related to adjustment. Only the relationship between seriousness of the illness and adjustment was not significant. Patients with more uncertainty had lower optimism scores and more adjustment problems. Subjects with lower optimism scores had more adjustment difficulties in the areas of attitude toward health care, immediate and extended family relationships, leisure activities, and psychological distress. The four variables were tested through multiple regression analysis for their ability to predict adjustment. Uncertainty, optimism, and control over physical function were significant explanatory variables for adjustment and accounted for 36% of the variance.
Mishel et al. (Wed,) studied this question.