Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/2044
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dc.contributor.authorReynolds, F-
dc.coverage.spatial22en
dc.date.accessioned2008-04-18T14:07:11Z-
dc.date.available2008-04-18T14:07:11Z-
dc.date.issued2000-
dc.identifier.citationThe European Menopause Journal. 36, 113-122en
dc.identifier.urihttp://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/2044-
dc.description.abstractObjectives: Many studies have established that highly negative or catastrophic thoughts about chronic health problems such as pain are associated with greater distress, lower self-efficacy for dealing with the problem and depressed mood. This study examined whether highly negative (or ‘catastrophic’) appraisals of hot flush experiences were associated with greater distress and lower perceived control regarding this menopausal problem. Design: A postal survey was carried out, with a follow-up 12 months later Methods: Two questionnaires were initially completed by a volunteer sample of 61 women currently experiencing hot flushes. A mixture of qualitative and quantitative data were collected, including a Catastrophic Thoughts Questionnaire (CTQ) measure of catastrophic thoughts, based in part on Rosenstiel & Keefe (1983). Thirty nine women who continued to report hot flushes were followed up 12 months later. Results: Ratings to each item of the CTQ were highly intercorrelated. . Women reporting more catastrophic thoughts tended to be lower in perceived control over flushes. Respondents’ reported distress during hot flushes was more closely related to their frequency of negative thoughts about the problem, than to perceived control, flush chronicity or daily frequency of flushes. Over 12 months, respondents showed a highly stable pattern of catastrophic thoughts, and continued links with levels of distress during flush episodes. Conclusions: Cognitive appraisal processes that undermine coping with other chronic health problems seem also relevant to understanding the distress triggered by intermittent, unpredictable flush episodes. The findings imply that women may develop improved tolerance for menopausal flushing through challenging negative interpretations of the experience.en
dc.format.extent306554 bytes-
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf-
dc.language.isoen-
dc.publisherElsevieren
dc.titleRelationships between catastrophic thoughts, perceived control and distress during menopausal hot flushes: Exploring the correlates of a questionnaire measureen
dc.typeResearch Paperen
Appears in Collections:Dept of Health Sciences Research Papers

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