Hopelessness as a predictor of depressive symptoms for breast cancer patients coping with recurrence.
OBJECTIVE
The Hopelessness Theory of Depression provides the framework to test feelings of hopelessness and social support as predictors of depressive symptoms in women recently diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer.


METHODS
Patients (N=67) were assessed within weeks of receiving their recurrence diagnosis (initial) and again 4 months later (follow-up).


RESULTS
Controlling for their current physical and depressive symptoms, hopelessness at diagnosis was a significant predictor of the maintenance of depressive symptoms among patients. A corollary of the theory was also confirmed: social support (i.e. the presence/absence of a romantic partner) interacted with hopelessness.


CONCLUSIONS
Women who reported feelings of hopelessness and who were alone (i.e. without a partner) were especially vulnerable to later depressive symptoms. The data provide support for the Hopelessness Theory and suggest factors conferring risk for depressive symptoms for those coping with a worsened cancer prognosis.
Brothers
Brittany M
BM
Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210-1222, USA.
Andersen
Barbara L
BL
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011379:Prognosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support