Examining the Burden of Self-Blame Attribution Among Women With Cervical Cancer

Background:Self-blame for past sexual behaviors or for the personal character may be associated with the development of cervical cancer. Purpose: Aims were to understand the burden of self-blame attribution (SBA) among women with cervical cancer by (1) examining relationships between SBA, psychological distress (PD), and spiritual well-being (SWB); (2) determining differences between behavioral (BSB) and characterological self-blame (CSB) attribution; and (3) describing associations between SBA and unwanted past sexual experiences. Methods: Women attending a cancer center in the southeastern United Stats (N = 106) completed an online survey including a demographic questionnaire and three instruments: (1) SBA for Cancer Scale; (2) Psychological Distress Subscale of the Psychological Adjustment to Cancer Scale-Self Report; and (3) Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Spiritual Well-being. Results: Women with cervical cancer, 26-64 years of age, identified moderate levels of SBA, PD, and SWB. Relationships were found between PD, BSB and CSB, and unwanted sexual experiences. Significant inverse correlations between religious faith, BSB, unwanted sexual experiences, and SWB were noted. Unwanted sexual experiences were a significant predictor of SBA. Conclusion: SBA places women at risk for increased burden. Recognizing SBA in vulnerable cancer survivors is important to providing holistic nursing care.