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 1 Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Italy. E-mail: [email protected]. 2 Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Italy. E-mail: [email protected]. 3 Department of Economics, Business, Environmental Sciences and Quantitative Methods Division of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Messina, Italy. E-mail: [email protected]. 4 Department of Juridical Sciences and Institutional History, University of Messina, Italy. E-mail: