Measuring post-traumatic growth in people diagnosed with hepatobiliary cancer: directions for future research.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To highlight and provide preliminary data regarding issues in the measurement of post-traumatic growth in people diagnosed with primary or metastatic hepatobiliary cancer. DESIGN Prospective. SETTING A large medical center in Pittsburgh, PA. SAMPLE 120 patients with hepatobiliary cancer. METHODS Participants were administered a battery of questionnaires, including the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Hepatobiliary module. Family caregivers also rated patients' post-traumatic growth. Qualitative data collected from patients included positive and negative changes associated with their cancer diagnoses. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Post-traumatic growth, depression, quality of life, and caregiver ratings of patients' post-traumatic growth. FINDINGS The results revealed that the PTGI is a reliable instrument in people diagnosed with cancer. The level of post-traumatic growth varies depending on hepatobiliary cancer type. The onset and process of post-traumatic growth differed based on the method of measurement employed (qualitative versus quantitative). Agreement on the PTGI was high between patients and caregivers, suggesting that the patients' growth was observable to others. Post-traumatic growth was not found to be associated with depressive symptoms, quality of life, or survival in patients diagnosed with hepatobiliary cancer. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study underscore the need to understand differences in the measurement and the process of post-traumatic growth in people with cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING For some patients, post-traumatic growth as a result of a cancer diagnosis may be associated with positive cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes that influence mental and physical health. For patients who experience post-traumatic growth, healthcare providers may be able to facilitate behavior changes to enhance health.