Self-efficacy and social downward comparison in colorectal cancer patients

Personal resources play an important role in coping with life-threatening diseases. The longitudinal study described here examined a population of 160 patients suffering from colorectal cancer to answer the question whether general self-efficacy (GSE) and downward comparison ( DC) influence subjective well-being of cancer patients. Questionnaire data were collected during inpatient rehabilitation treatment (t1) and 6 months later (t2). Additionally, the difference in GSE between patients and a group of 160 healthy controls was examined. In contrast to controls, patients showed a significant increase in GSE from t1 to t2. GSE at t1 was positively associated with subjective well-being and negatively with anxiety and depression. There was no significant correlation between DC and adjustment to cancer; only a mild positive correlation between DC and GSE at t1 was found. Cross-lagged panel analysis suggested that subjective well-being ( particularly social well-being) at t1 influences GSE at t2.