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Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Breast Cancer Patients: Temporal Evolution, Predictors, and Mediation

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Author

  • Sandra Perez
  • Maria Jose Galdon
  • Yolanda Andreu
  • Elena Ibanez
  • Estrella Dura
  • Andrea Conchado
  • Etzel Cardeña

Summary, in English

This study (N = 102 women) evaluated the time course of posttraumatic stress symptomatology (PTSS) at different stages of nonmetastastic cancer diagnosis and treatment: during treatment, at the end of treatment, and at a 6-12 months follow-up. We also assessed the contribution of demographic, trait, and state predictors to PTSS, and coping processes as proximal mediators of the relation between Type C personality and PTSS. Results indicated that PTSS remained constant across all phases. There were significant correlations (range = .28 to .81) between PTSS and psychosocial variables and age, but not with other sociodemographic or medical factors. A linear growth curve model showed that hopelessness/helplessness (B = 1.45) and Type C personality (B = 1.40) were the best predictors of PTSD symptomatology, followed by trait dissociation (B = 0.55), and the coping strategies of anxious preoccupation (B = 1.20), cognitive avoidance (B = 0.91), and symptoms of acute stress disorder (B = 0.19). A mediation model showed that the coping strategies of anxious preoccupation, cognitive avoidance, and helplessness/hopelessness mediated the relationship between Type C personality and PTSS during treatment, posttreatment, and follow-up. These results clarify the contribution of different predictors of PTSS and can help develop prevention programs.

Publishing year

2014

Language

English

Pages

224-231

Publication/Series

Journal of Traumatic Stress

Volume

27

Issue

2

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Topic

  • Psychology

Keywords

  • PTSD
  • dissociation
  • Cancer

Status

Published

Research group

  • CERCAP (Center for Research on Consciousness and Anomalous Psychology)

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0894-9867