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Positive (But Not Negative) Punishment Predicts Anxiety and Depression Among Prostate Cancer Patients: An Exploration of the Behaviour Analytic Model of Depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2012

Vicki Bitsika
Affiliation:
Bond University, Australia.
Christopher F. Sharpley*
Affiliation:
University of New England, Australia. [email protected]
David R. H. Christie
Affiliation:
Premion, Queensland, Australia.
*
*Address for correspondence: Professor Chris Sharpley, University of New England, PO Box 378, Coolangatta, QLD 4225 Australia.
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Abstract

The relative power of Positive and Negative Punishment as predictors of anxiety and depression was investigated within the gender-specific population of Prostate Cancer patients. As well as being a more powerful predictor of total test scores, Positive Punishment was also a stronger predictor of the presence of clinical levels of anxiety and depression. Examination of the particular Positive Punishment events that were significantly associated with clinical anxiety and depression showed considerable overlap, supporting the concept of a combined anxiety-depression disorder. Suggestions for behavioural interventions with this patient group are made.

Type
Standard Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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