The relationship between body image, age, and distress in women facing breast cancer surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Research suggests that the strength of the relationship between body image and emotional distress decreases with age. Past research has focused on expected aging-related body changes, and has not yet examined unexpected body changes (e.g., breast cancer surgery). The present post-hoc study assessed relationships between age, body image, and emotional distress in women facing breast cancer surgery.


METHODS
Older (≥ 65 years, n = 40) and younger (<65 years, n = 40) women were matched on race/ethnicity, marital status, and surgery type. Within one week prior to surgery, participants completed measures of demographics, aspects of body image, and emotional distress (general and surgery-specific).


RESULTS
Results indicated that: (1) body image did not differ by age (p > 0.999); (2) older women reported less pre-surgical emotional distress than younger women (p's < 0.01); and, (3) age moderated the relationship between body image and emotional distress (p's < 0.06).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that younger women, particularly those with poor body image, are at an increased risk for pre-surgical emotional distress. These women may benefit from pre-surgical interventions designed to improve body image or to reduce pre-surgical emotional distress.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai,Department of Oncological Sciences,New York,New York.
Sarah J
SJ
Miller
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai,Department of Oncological Sciences,New York,New York.
Julie B
JB
Schnur
Marymount Manhattan College,Department of Psychology,New York,New York.
Sarah L
SL
Weinberger-Litman
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai,Department of Oncological Sciences,New York,New York.
Guy H
GH
Montgomery
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*