Predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology following bone marrow transplantation for cancer.

This study examined the prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in 70 men and women treated with bone marrow transplantation for cancer. Findings indicated that number of symptoms present ranged from 0 to a possible high of 17 (M = 3.0, SD = 3.9). As predicted lower social support and higher avoidance coping I month pretransplant predicted greater PTS symptom severity an average of 7 months posttransplant. These variables remained significant predictors of symptom severity even after accounting for pretransplant levels of psychological distress. Addition analyses indicated the presence of a significant interaction between social support and avoidance coping with patients high in avoidance coping and low in social support reporting the most severe symptoms. These findings identify patients at risk for psychological disturbance posttransplant and can serve guide future intervention efforts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)