Basic Trust and Posttraumatic Growth in Oncology Patients

Abstract

Basic trust is a presumption that the world has unchangeable order and meaning and is generally positive towards human beings. The results of three separate studies on oncology patients indicate that level of basic trust is positively related to the challenge approach, positive reinterpretation of new life situations, and posttraumatic growth. Structural equation modeling shows that positive reinterpretation, the lack of any dominant anxiety, and hopelessness-helplessness reactions are mediators in the relationship between basic trust and posttraumatic growth after a traumatic experience with cancer.

KEYWORDS:

• basic trust
• cancer
• coping with terminal illness
• oncology patients
• post-traumatic growth

Acknowledgments

Preparation of this article was supported by research grants from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (BST SWPS 2005–2006 to Jerzy Trzebiński and N N106 281739 to Mariusz Zięba).

Notes

*p < .01.

*p < .05; **p < .01; ***p < .001.

*p < .05; **p < .01; ***p < .001.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jerzy Trzebiński

Jerzy Trzebiński is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Poland, where he is a director of the Institute of Social Psychology. His current research concerns narratives and self-narratives in social interactions and basic trust (presumptions regarding the orderliness and positivity of the world). Special topics of interest include the role of narratives in dealing with loss and traumatic experiences, and the impact of basic trust strengths on coping with critical life situations, making long-term decisions and planning the future.

Mariusz Zięba

Mariusz Zięba is an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Campus in Poznań (Poland). His research is focused on the phenomenon of posttraumatic growth, especially the role of basic trust and hope in response to stressful life events and traumatic experiences.