Carissa Nadia Kuswanto1, Jessica Sharp2, Lesley Stafford3, Penelope Schofield4. 1. Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, 3122, Australia. 2. Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, 3122, Australia; Department of Statistics, Data Sciences and Epidemiology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, 3122, Australia. 3. Centre for Women's Mental Health, The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia. 4. Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, 3122, Australia; Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia. Electronic address: pschofield@swin.edu.au.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study investigated the role of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in moderating the associations between parenting efficacy and psychological distress, and between fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and psychological distress, in mothers who are breast cancer survivors. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, mothers who were breast cancer survivors (N = 91) completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Cancer-Related Parenting Self-Efficacy (CaPSE), Concerns About Cancer Recurrence (CARS) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory Short Form (PTGI-SF). Hierarchical multiple linear regressions and simple-slope tests were used to examine the main effects of the predictors (CaPSE and CARS) and moderator (PTGI-SF), and interaction effects of CaPSExPTGI-SF and CARSxPTGI-SF. The analyses were repeated for each outcome variable: Depression, Anxiety and Stress. RESULTS: Higher CARS significantly predicted higher Depression, Anxiety and Stress, and lower CaPSE significantly predicted higher Depression and Stress. Significant CaPSExPTGI-SF and CARSxPTGI-SF interactions predicted Depression. Simple-slopes tests indicated a significant positive association between CARS and Depression for mothers with high levels of PTG, but not with low levels of PTG. A negative association was indicated between CaPSE and Depression for mothers with low levels of PTGI-SF, though neither slope was significant. LIMITATIONS: Our results are only generalisable to mothers with similar socio-demographic backgrounds. CONCLUSIONS: PTG may serve as both a protective and a risk factor for depression in mothers who are breast cancer survivors. Debate remains whether PTG is best conceptualised as a perceived positive outcome or an ongoing coping mechanism in the face of parenting challenges and cancer-related threats such as FCR.
BACKGROUND: This study investigated the role of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in moderating the associations between parenting efficacy and psychological distress, and between fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and psychological distress, in mothers who are breast cancer survivors. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, mothers who were breast cancer survivors (N = 91) completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Cancer-Related Parenting Self-Efficacy (CaPSE), Concerns About Cancer Recurrence (CARS) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory Short Form (PTGI-SF). Hierarchical multiple linear regressions and simple-slope tests were used to examine the main effects of the predictors (CaPSE and CARS) and moderator (PTGI-SF), and interaction effects of CaPSExPTGI-SF and CARSxPTGI-SF. The analyses were repeated for each outcome variable: Depression, Anxiety and Stress. RESULTS: Higher CARS significantly predicted higher Depression, Anxiety and Stress, and lower CaPSE significantly predicted higher Depression and Stress. Significant CaPSExPTGI-SF and CARSxPTGI-SF interactions predicted Depression. Simple-slopes tests indicated a significant positive association between CARS and Depression for mothers with high levels of PTG, but not with low levels of PTG. A negative association was indicated between CaPSE and Depression for mothers with low levels of PTGI-SF, though neither slope was significant. LIMITATIONS: Our results are only generalisable to mothers with similar socio-demographic backgrounds. CONCLUSIONS: PTG may serve as both a protective and a risk factor for depression in mothers who are breast cancer survivors. Debate remains whether PTG is best conceptualised as a perceived positive outcome or an ongoing coping mechanism in the face of parenting challenges and cancer-related threats such as FCR.
Authors: Audrey Messelt; Lauren Thomaier; Patricia I Jewett; Heewon Lee; Deanna Teoh; Susan A Everson-Rose; Anne H Blaes; Rachel I Vogel Journal: Gynecol Oncol Date: 2020-12-28 Impact factor: 5.482