Andrea A Cohee1, Timothy Stump2, Rebecca N Adams3, Shelley A Johns4, Diane Von Ah5, Kathleen Zoppi4, Betsy Fife5, Patrick O Monahan2, David Cella6, Victoria L Champion5. 1. Indiana University School of Nursing, 1111 Middle Drive, NU 317, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA. aamaners@iu.edu. 2. Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA. 3. Department of Psychology, Purdue University School of Science, Indianapolis, IN, USA. 4. Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA. 5. Indiana University School of Nursing, 1111 Middle Drive, NU 317, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA. 6. Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Long-term breast cancer survivors frequently report distress (i.e., depressive symptoms) that impacts their quality of life. Previous studies have found that negative social interactions ("social constraints") from partners contribute to long-term, unresolved cycling of intrusive thoughts and cognitive avoidance, resulting in psychological distress. However, these relationships have not been tested in long-term breast cancer survivors. Furthermore, the effect of partners' depressive symptoms on the survivors' depressive symptoms has not been tested within the context of these relationships. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to test relationships between breast cancer survivors' depressive symptoms and (1) social constraints, cognitive avoidance, and intrusive thoughts, and (2) partners' depressive symptoms. METHODS: Data were from a cross-sectional descriptive study of breast cancer survivors (N = 222) 3-8 years post-diagnosis and their partners, who completed surveys assessing demographic characteristics, social constraints, intrusive thoughts, cognitive avoidance, and depressive symptoms. Structural equation modeling confirmatory path analyses were conducted to determine significant relationships between survivors' depressive symptoms and all other variables. RESULTS: Our model fits the data well. Breast cancer survivors' depressive symptoms were predicted by social constraints and intrusive thoughts. The relationship between survivors' depressive symptoms and partners' depressive symptoms was close but not significant. CONCLUSIONS: As hypothesized, depressive symptoms were predicted by social constraints and intrusive thoughts. Further research is needed to understand the possible relationship between survivors' long-term depressive symptoms and cognitive avoidance and partners' depressive symptoms. Our findings highlight the negative impact of social constraints from partners on psychological outcomes in long-term breast cancer survivors.
PURPOSE: Long-term breast cancer survivors frequently report distress (i.e., depressive symptoms) that impacts their quality of life. Previous studies have found that negative social interactions ("social constraints") from partners contribute to long-term, unresolved cycling of intrusive thoughts and cognitive avoidance, resulting in psychological distress. However, these relationships have not been tested in long-term breast cancer survivors. Furthermore, the effect of partners' depressive symptoms on the survivors' depressive symptoms has not been tested within the context of these relationships. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to test relationships between breast cancer survivors' depressive symptoms and (1) social constraints, cognitive avoidance, and intrusive thoughts, and (2) partners' depressive symptoms. METHODS: Data were from a cross-sectional descriptive study of breast cancer survivors (N = 222) 3-8 years post-diagnosis and their partners, who completed surveys assessing demographic characteristics, social constraints, intrusive thoughts, cognitive avoidance, and depressive symptoms. Structural equation modeling confirmatory path analyses were conducted to determine significant relationships between survivors' depressive symptoms and all other variables. RESULTS: Our model fits the data well. Breast cancer survivors' depressive symptoms were predicted by social constraints and intrusive thoughts. The relationship between survivors' depressive symptoms and partners' depressive symptoms was close but not significant. CONCLUSIONS: As hypothesized, depressive symptoms were predicted by social constraints and intrusive thoughts. Further research is needed to understand the possible relationship between survivors' long-term depressive symptoms and cognitive avoidance and partners' depressive symptoms. Our findings highlight the negative impact of social constraints from partners on psychological outcomes in long-term breast cancer survivors.
Entities:
Keywords:
Breast cancer survivors; Depressive symptoms; Social cognitive processing; Social constraints
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