Positive emotions and posttraumatic growth after breast cancer

Abstract

There is a growing interest to analyze the role that positive affect (PA) may have in both health and illness. PA may play an important role in the onset, development and maintenance of different illnesses either through direct pathways (e.g., immunological system) or indirect ones (e.g., by promoting adaptive ways of coping). In this paper we review the most relevant results in this research fi eld. Besides their possible causal role, positive emotions and cognitions may also be an outcome of life-threatening conditions and, in general, of highly traumatic situations. Sometimes, these extreme situations (e.g., having been diagnosed with cancer or suffering cancer) may produce secondary psychological benefi ts in those who suffer them. The new concept of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) precisely captures this idea. In this paper we specifi cally review the most relevant literature that has explored the association between PTG and breast cancer. We also review the main sociodemographic and clinical variables that may moderate those relationships. The clinical utility of the PTG concept is discussed as well as its relation with clinical outcomes and the convenience of designing interventions to foster PTG. Finally, we suggest new research areas within this promising field. Key.