Two models of cognitive determinants of distress under adversity
were
tested in the experiences of two samples of newly treated breast cancer
patients (ns = 144 and 202). One model emphasizes the role of
perceptions
of personal control in subjective well being. The other model
emphasizes
expectancies of the occurrence of desired outcomes. In this
research
the outcome addressed was remaining free of cancer in the future.
In these two samples, beliefs about control over remaining free of
cancer
played no role in predicting distress, though expectancy of remaining
cancer-free
did. Discussion focuses on conceptual boundaries on the concept
of
control, how difficult it is to assess control separately from
expectancy
regarding the desired outcome, and how conceptual clarity requires such
a separation.
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