Long-term fear of recurrence in young breast cancer survivors and partners.
Fear of a breast cancer recurrence is the most prevalent and disruptive source of distress for long-term survivors and their partners. However, few studies have focused on predictors of fear of recurrence. The aim of this study is to test the efficacy of the Social Cognitive Processing Theory (SCPT) in predicting fear of recurrence in long-term breast cancer survivors diagnosed at age 45 years or younger and their partners.



In a large cross-sectional study, breast cancer survivors (n = 222) 3-8 years from diagnosis and their partners completed a survey assessing demographic characteristics, fear of recurrence, social constraints, and cognitive processing (intrusive thoughts and cognitive avoidance). Mediation analyses were conducted for survivors and partners separately to determine if cognitive processing would mediate the relationship between social constraints and fear of recurrence.



Cognitive processing mediated the relationship between social constraints and fear of recurrence both for survivors [F(3,213) = 47.541, R2= 0.401, p < 0.001] and partners [F(3,215) = 27.917, R2= 0.280, p < 0.001). Demographic variables were not significant predictors of fear of recurrence.



As predicted, cognitive processing mediated the relationship between social constraints and fear of recurrence. Results expand the utility of the SCPT in long-term survivors and their partners by supporting its use in intervention design. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Andrea A
AA
Cohee
Department of Psychology, Purdue University School of Science, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Rebecca N
RN
Adams
Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Shelley A
0000-0001-5730-1822
SA
Johns
Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Diane
D
Von Ah
Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Kathleen
K
Zoppi
Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Betsy
B
Fife
Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Patrick O
PO
Monahan
Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Timothy
T
Stump
Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
David
D
Cella
Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Victoria L
VL
Champion
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D000073116:Cancer Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D057566:Self Report; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult