Date of Graduation

Spring 2019

Degree

Master of Science in Psychology

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Ann Rost

Abstract

Despite ovarian cancer being the deadliest form of gynecological cancers, there are significantly fewer studies addressing this type of cancer. The psychological and physical impact of the diagnosis and treatment for ovarian cancer can be debilitating. While previous studies have examined variables like physical impairment, pain, willingness and acceptance, and psychological distress in cancer patients, none have addressed all of these in ovarian cancer. Thus, the present study examined the relationship of these variables in 11 women with ovarian cancer, via self-report measures. To evaluate whether willingness and acceptance mediated the relationship between pain, physical impairment, and psychological distress, a linear multiple regression was utilized. While the mediation model was not supported, results indicate a potential trend in the relationship among physical impairment, acceptance, and psychological distress when willingness and acceptance are held constant. This suggests that a strong association between identified variables among women with ovarian cancer may be found through expansion of data and future research.

Keywords

ovarian cancer, pain, acceptance and commitment therapy, willingness and acceptance, psychological distress, physical impairment

Subject Categories

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Copyright

© Megan M. Millmann

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Open Access

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