title: Repression and high anxiety are associated with aberrant diurnal cortisol rhythms in women with metastatic breast cancer.
abstract: Previous research has provided evidence of autonomic, endocrine, and immunological dysregulation in repressers and a possible association with cancer incidence and progression. Recently published data from the authors' laboratory demonstrated that flatter diurnal cortisol slopes were a risk factor for early mortality in women with metastatic breast cancer. In the current analysis of this same sample (N=91), the authors tested differences at baseline between groups scored using the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory on diurnal cortisol slope and mean cortisol levels. When compared with self-assured and nonextreme groups, the represser and high-anxious groups had a significantly flatter diurnal slope. Diurnal slope was similar for repressers and high-anxious groups. Groups did not differ on mean cortisol levels, nor did they differ on intercept (morning) values.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5718, USA. jgiese@stanford.edu.
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Giese-Davis
authors.forename: Sandra E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Sephton
authors.forename: Heather C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Abercrombie
authors.forename: Ron E F
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Durán
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spiegel
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012094:Repression, Psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012803:Sick Role; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone