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Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology
2025. Vol. 14, no. 4, 97–106
doi:10.17759/jmfp.2025140410
ISSN: 2304-4977 (online)

Experiencing helplessness and self-efficacy in the context of attitudes toward treatment in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy

 
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Abstract

Context and Relevance. Oncological diseases can significantly affect a patient's psychological well-being, with feelings of helplessness and lack of self-efficacy playing a crucial role. Chemotherapy (CT) and radiation therapy (RT), as different types of medical treatments, may have varying effects on these emotional experiences and attitudes towards treatment. However, the comparative impact of these treatments on psychological outcomes is not well understood. Goal. The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in feelings of helplessness and levels of self-efficacy among cancer patients undergoing CT and RT. Methods and Materials. Participants: 107 patients with cancer (90 females, 17 males), divided into two groups: CT (n=52) and RT (n=55). The following methods were employed: a self-regulation questionnaire in the rehabilitation process (measuring scales such as «health anxiety», «helplessness in rehabilitation», and «self-efficacy in rehabilitation») and an attitude towards treatment questionnaire (adapted for chronic and long-term treatment). Statistical analysis was performed using RStudio. Results. Patients undergoing chronic treatment experienced significantly more helplessness (p < 0.001) and had lower levels of self-efficacy (p < 0.01) compared to those receiving long-term therapy. Various patterns of association between psychological variables and attitudes towards treatment were identified. In patients receiving chronic treatment, experience of helplessness was linked to lower levels of confidence and higher levels of doubt regarding the effectiveness of treatment. In the RT group, self-efficacy was associated with increased confidence in the efficacy of therapy, while health anxiety was linked to a more negative attitude toward treatment in several aspects (doubts about need, poor understanding, anxiety, and doubts about efficacy). Conclusions. The type of therapy (CT or RT) was found to be associated with the severity of feelings of hopelessness and self-efficacy, as well as the specific nature of their relationship to treatment. These findings emphasize the significance of considering the type of treatment when designing targeted psychological support programs to address hopelessness, enhance self-efficacy, and foster an adaptive attitude toward treatment among cancer patients.

General Information

Keywords: oncopsychology, helplessness, self-efficacy, attitudes towards chemotherapy, attitudes towards radiation therapy, self-regulation in a disease situation, subjective well-being, perceptions of the disease, perceptions of chemotherapy, perceptions of radiation therapy

Journal rubric: Medical Psychology

Article type: review article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2025140410

Received 26.07.2025

Revised 27.11.2025

Accepted

Published

For citation: Karakurkchi, M.K., Rasskazova, E.I., Chmil, A.K. (2025). Experiencing helplessness and self-efficacy in the context of attitudes toward treatment in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology, 14(4), 97–106. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2025140410

© Karakurkchi M.K., Rasskazova E.I., Chmil A.K., 2025

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Marina K. Karakurkchi, medical Psychologist, Oncology Center No.1 of S.S. Yudin City Clinical Hospital, postgraduate student at the Department of Neuro- and Pathopsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6105-7798, e-mail: karakyrkchi_m@mail.ru

Elena I. Rasskazova, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Associate Professor, Department of Neuro- and Patopsychology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Senior Researcher,Mental Health Research Center, Senior Researcher, International Laboratory of Positive Psychology of Personality and Motivation, Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9648-5238, e-mail: e.i.rasskazova@gmail.com

Anna K. Chmil, medical Psychologist, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1009-2618, e-mail: chmilanna2000@gmail.com

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