SELF-ESTEEM AND CANCER - THEORY AND RESEARCH

Objective: To examine the relationship between self-esteem and the psy chosocial response to cancer. Methods: The authors review methodologic al issues associated with measuring self-esteem in patients with cance r and Examine existing empirical studies in light of these issues. Res ults: Self-esteem in cancer has been variously viewed as an outcome va riable, a mediator of other psychosocial outcomes, and as a personal r esource that facilitates coping. Unidimensional measures of global sel f-esteem have been most often employed in research studies, despite in creasing recognition that self-esteem is multidimensional. Evaluation of global self-esteem has generally revealed no differences between ca ncer patients and controls. Aspects of multidimensional self-esteem, p articularly body self-esteem, appears to be disturbed in many patients with cancer. Conclusions: The clinical and theoretical literature hav e emphasized the importance of self-esteem to the psychosocial respons e to cancer. Empirical study of self-esteem in cancer has been limited by conceptual and methodological issues. Strategies for future resear ch are discussed.