Table 2.
Success in behavior change according to randomization group combining the three trials according to changes in status between baseline and 12 months
| Patient education control (n = 354) | Positive affect/self-affirmation (n = 362) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Negative psychosocial changes | |||
| Increased perceived stress | 32 % (75) | 54 % (84) | <.001 |
| Newly depressed | 22 % (24) | 55 % (29) | <.01 |
| Decreased social support | 37 % (76) | 54 % (85) | <.05 |
| Total negative changes | |||
| 0 | 45 % (222) | 52 % (214) | n.s. |
| ≥1 | 36 % (133) | 63 % (14*) | <.05 |
| Positive psychosocial changes | |||
| Decreased stress | 48 % (79) | 63 % (89) | <.05 |
| Decreased depressive symptoms | 39 % (53) | 57 % (70) | <.05 |
| Increased social support | 47 % (85) | 65 % (90) | <.05 |
| Total positive changes | |||
| 0 | 38 % (211) | 45 % (187) | n.s. |
| ≥1 | 45 % (144) | 61 % (175) | <.001 |
| Life events | |||
| None | 44 % (227) | 53 % (234) | <.05 |
| Negative life events | 31 % (51) | 55 % (55) | <.05 |
| Positive life events | 38 % (77) | 51 % (73) | n.s. |
| Interval medical events | |||
| No | 43 % (299) | 55 % (302) | <.01 |
| Yes | 30 % (56) | 40 % (60) | n.s. |
For MOS social support, an increase in support was defined as an increase >7.8 (the 75th percentile for within-patient change); a decrease in support was defined as a fall of −6.5 (the 25th percentile for within-patient change). Using these cutoffs, patients with increased social support demonstrated a mean increase of 20 points and those with decreased support demonstrated a mean decrease of 20 points. For perceived stress, an increase in stress was defined as an increase greater than +2 (the 75th percentile for within-patient change), while a decrease in stress was defined as a fall of −7. Patients with decreased stress showed an average decrease of 12 points and those with increased stress showed an increase of 7 points. At 12 months, patients were also asked whether they had experienced any major negative or positive life events over the last year, and if so, what events occurred.