Do psychological factors predict prognosis in lung cancer?

A central issue in psycho-oncology research has long been the prognostic
influence of psychosocial factors on cancer. Results showed that psychological
factors do not seem to influence the onset of cancer. However, hopelessness and
repressive coping did seem to negatively influence the prognosis of cancer.
Other psychological factors have not been explored in detail or not at all.
Also, little research has focused on the terminally ill, because it was thought
that the severity of the illness would override all psychological factors.
Statistical analysis, however, can remedy this problem. It is expected that
psychological factors will influence the prognosis and wellbeing of terminally
ill cancerpatients.

To explore the influence of psychological factors - e.g. causal attribution,
religiosity, mindfulness, Type D personality, benefit finding, and optimism -
on survival, fatigue, depression, and health-related quality of life of stage
IIIb/IV lungcancer patients.

Prospective, longitudinal, questionnaire research

Participants will be asked to fill out nine short questionnaires about
psychosocial factors and wellbeing.
At baseline/study onset they will fill in all questionnaires and answer some
questions about their (medical) background.
After 3 and 6 months participants will fill in questionnaires assessing
wellbeing, fatigue, and depression.
These visits will take place during chemotherapy or follow-up visits at the
hospital.
After 12 and 18 months patient's vital status will be determined from their
medical records.
The burden on the patients will be minimized by shortening the length of the
questionnaires and visits as much as possible. Visits could be tiresome for
participants.