Psychological adjustment in breast cancer: processes of emotional distress.
The process of psychological adjustment to breast cancer was examined at diagnosis and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups in a sample of 80 women with Stage I-Stage IV breast cancer. At diagnosis, symptoms of anxiety/depression were predicted by low dispositional optimism, and this path was partially mediated by use of emotion-focused disengagement coping. Younger age also was predictive of anxiety/depression symptoms at time of diagnosis, and this relationship was fully mediated by magnitude of intrusive thoughts. At 3 months, changes in anxiety/depression symptoms were predicted only by intrusive thoughts. At 6 months, low dispositional optimism reemerged as a significant predictor of changes in anxiety/depression and again was partially mediated by the use of emotion-focused disengagement coping. Independent effects for problem-focused engagement and disengagement and emotion-focused engagement coping were also found at 6 months. Implications of these data for psychosocial interventions with breast cancer patients are highlighted.
Epping-Jordan
J E
JE
Department of Psychology, University of Vermont, Burlington 05405, USA.
Compas
B E
BE
Osowiecki
D M
DM
Oppedisano
G
G
Gerhardt
C
C
Primo
K
K
Krag
D N
DN
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000145:classification*; D000367:Age Factors; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index