Leventhal’s self-regulatory Model applied to breast cancer

The aim of this study was to examine psychosocial adjustment to breast cancer, according to Leventhal’s self-regulation model. We tried to understand the role of emotional adjustment and illness representations in coping. The participants were 74 Portuguese recently diagnosed breast cancer patients. Measures included the Portuguese versions of: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), to assess emotional adjustment (anxiety; depression); the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ), to evaluate illness perceptions; and the Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Mini-MAC) to assess coping style. The principal hypothesis was that illness perceptions and emotional adjustment would be significant predictors of coping before surgery. The hypothesis was confirmed for most coping strategies. Emotional adjustment and illness representations were significant predictors of coping, which supports Leventhal’s Self-Regulatory Model, in this sample. Emotional adjustment and illness perceptions were significant predictors of Helplessness/Hopelessness, Anxious Preoccupation, and Fighting Spirit coping strategies.