Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41073816›Full record

ArticleSupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2025

Indicators of maladaptive emotions in patients with cancer as assessed by oncologists and nurses.

G Elise Doppenberg-Smit, Myra E van Linde, Femke Lamers, Adriaan W Hoogendoorn, Annemarie M J Braamse, Evelien J M Kuip, Mariette Labots, Rune A W van de Wetering, Inge M Werter, Aartjan T F Beekman and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Emotion dynamics as indicators of maladaptive emotions in patients with cancer.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

G Elise Doppenberg-SmitDepartment of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Myra E van LindeCancer Treatment and Quality of Life, Cancer Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Femke LamersDepartment of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Adriaan W HoogendoornDepartment of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Annemarie M J BraamseMental Health Program, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Evelien J M KuipDepartment of Medical Oncology, Radboud Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Mariette LabotsCancer Treatment and Quality of Life, Cancer Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Rune A W van de WeteringDepartment of Medical Oncology, Slingeland Ziekenhuis, Doetinchem, the Netherlands.
Inge M WerterDepartment of Medical Oncology, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, the Netherlands.
Aartjan T F BeekmanDepartment of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Henk M W VerheulDepartment of Medical Oncology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Joost DekkerDepartment of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands. j.dekker@amsterdamumc.nl.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2027-0027

Funding

KWF Kankerbestrijding 11839
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThe clinical management of patients with cancer by oncologists and nurses needs to differentiate between maladaptive emotions that do require professional mental health care and adaptive emotions that do not require such care. Previous qualitative research identified six symptoms as potential indicators of maladaptive emotions. These included lingering, increasing or extreme emotions, emotions that interfere with daily life or with treatment, and unexplained somatic symptoms. The present study tested the validity of these symptoms as indicators of maladaptive emotions in patients with cancer.

methodsPatients with a solid malignancy were assessed 3 to 7 months after the start of chemo- or immunotherapy. Patients were categorized as experiencing either adaptive or maladaptive emotions, using two reference standards: (a) a psychiatric diagnostic assessment or (b) patient's subjective need for professional mental health care. Oncologists and nurses assessed the presence of the six symptoms, using a checklist. A total count was made of the number of symptoms that were rated as present.

resultsAs hypothesized, the total symptom count was statistically significantly greater in patients with maladaptive emotions than in patients with adaptive emotions. This was consistently observed for the ratings by oncologists as well as nurses, and for both reference standards.

conclusionThe current study confirmed six symptoms assessed by oncologists and nurses as valid indicators of maladaptive emotions in patients with cancer. We recommend assessing these symptoms in the broader context of managing emotional well-being of patients with cancer.

Indexed as

Adaptation, PsychologicalEmotionsNeoplasmsNursesOncologistsAdultAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedCancerEmotionMental disorderMental healthSymptom

Identifiers

PMID41073816
PMCPMC12513930

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.