Social-cognitive processes as moderators of a couple-focused group intervention for women with early stage breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose was to examine whether social-cognitive variables would moderate the efficacy of a couple-focused group intervention (CG) for women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.


METHODS
Participants (N = 238) were randomly assigned to 6 sessions of a couple-focused group versus usual care. Intent to treat growth curve modeling analyses indicated that emotional expression and emotional processing moderated CG effects on depression.


METHODS
The primary outcome measures for this study were psychological distress and psychological well-being.


RESULTS
Treatment attrition analyses separating out participants assigned to but not attending CG indicated that emotional expression, emotional processing, and protective buffering moderated the effects of CG among those who attended CG with the most consistent effects noted for emotional processing on indicators of distress and well-being.


CONCLUSIONS
The CG intervention may be more effective for patients who begin the group experience using emotional approach coping strategies to deal with cancer.
Manne
Sharon
S
Population Science Division, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA. sharon.manne@fccc.edu
Ostroff
Jamie S
JS
Winkel
Gary
G
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D019546:Couples Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology