Metacognition as predictor of emotional distress in cancer patients

Cancer patients often have to deal with numerous side effects and
psychological distress during chemotherapy. Research highlights that
dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs are the basis for the development and
maintenance of emotional disorders. The present research is a first
attempt to explore how metacognitions influence anxiety and depression
in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. A sample of 175 cancer
patients undergoing chemotherapy completed a demographic
questionnaire, the MCQ-30, and the HADS. Medical information about
the stage of the disease and the history of treatment was provided. The
results have shown that gender and negative beliefs explained the 61%
variance for anxiety in cancer patients during chemotherapy. Age,
gender, negative beliefs and cognitive self-consciousness explained the
39% variance for depression in cancer patients during chemotherapy.
Gender, negative beliefs and cognitive self-consciousness explained the
58% variance for overall distress of patients during chemotherapy.
Hence, specific metacognitive factors have a strong relationship with
anxiety and depression in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.