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Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings

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01-12-2017

Effect of Partners’ Disgust Responses on Psychological Wellbeing in Cancer Patients

Authors: Haffiezhah A. Azlan, Paul G. Overton, Jane Simpson, Philip A. Powell

Published in: Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings | Issue 3-4/2017

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore quantitatively the relationship between disgust responses in cancer patients and their partners, and in turn their relationship to patients’ psychological well-being. We recruited 50 participants with heterogeneous cancer diagnoses and their partners from cancer-related groups (e.g., charities). Patients completed questionnaires to determine levels of disgust propensity, disgust sensitivity, self-disgust, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Disgust propensity and sensitivity were also assessed in their partners. Partners’ disgust sensitivity was significantly positively correlated with cancer patients’ self-disgust, disgust propensity, and depression. Path analyses suggested that patients’ self-disgust plays a role in mediating the effect of partners’ disgust sensitivity on patients’ psychological well-being. This study provides the first quantitative evidence that psychological well-being in cancer patients is contingent on their partners’ sensitivity to disgust, and that patients’ self-disgust plays a mediating role. Focusing therapeutically on disgust responses could well be beneficial to people with cancer.

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Title: Effect of Partners’ Disgust Responses on Psychological Wellbeing in Cancer Patients
Authors: Haffiezhah A. Azlan
Paul G. Overton
Jane Simpson
Philip A. Powell
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings / Issue 3-4/2017
Print ISSN: 1068-9583
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3572
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-017-9521-z

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