The effects of age and emotional acceptance on distress among breast cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined whether emotional acceptance moderates the relationship between age and distress among breast cancer patients near the end of the first year after diagnosis.


METHODS
The Emotional acceptance scale and the Profile of Mood States scale were completed by 79 women with Stage II or III breast cancer.


RESULTS
Results showed that younger women reported greater distress than older women. Those who were less accepting of their emotions also reported greater distress than those who were more accepting, regardless of age.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that emotional acceptance may be beneficial for both younger and older women facing breast cancer. Additional implications of these findings are discussed.
Politi
Mary C
MC
Psychology Internship Training, Brown Medical School, Providence, RI, USA.
Enright
Timothy M
TM
Weihs
Karen L
KL
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D013315:Stress, Psychological