Evaluation of Self-Blame Attributions in Patients with Head/Neck or Lung Cancer Engaged in High-Risk Health Behaviors

Research evaluating the causal attributions involved in head/neck and lung cancer suggests that behavioral self-blame may be related to high-risk health behaviors, such as alcohol and tobacco use. However, these findings are limited and mixed throughout the field, and even less is known about the possible impact of characterological self-blame on engagement in high-risk health behaviors by patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to determine if relationships exist between engagement in high-risk health behaviors, behavioral self-blame, and characterological self-blame within patients with head/neck or lung cancer. Data were collected from 120 patients with head/neck or lung cancer at a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. Participants completed demographic questionnaires, substance use questions, and the Self-Blame Attributions for Cancer Scale. Results showed that engagement in high-risk health behaviors, here operationalized as any smoking or alcohol use, was associated with high levels of both behavioral self-blame and characterological self-blame. These findings support the hypothesis that high-risk health behaviors are associated with higher levels of behavioral self-blame. In addition, characterological self-blame was elevated for those who engaged in high-risk health behaviors. These results may be critical for patient health and quality of life outcomes via triaging of patients to supportive services and clinical interventions.