IngentaConnect Psychological adjustment of women at increased risk of developing...

Authors: Meiser B.¹; Butow P.²; Schnieden V.³; Gattas M.⁴; Gaff C.⁵; Harrop K.⁶; Bankier A.⁵; Young M. A.⁷; Tucker K.¹

Source: Psychology, Health and Medicine, Volume 5, Number 4, 1 November 2000 , pp. 377-388(12)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract:

This study aims to describe psychological adjustment in a sample of Australian women at increased risk for hereditary breast cancer and to assess the sociodemographic, personality and appraisal factors which contribute to psychological distress. Psychological adjustment of 355 unaffected women at increased risk of developing hereditary breast cancer who approached familial cancer clinics for advice about their breast cancer risk was assessed in a cross-sectional design, using validated measures of psychological distress. Eight per cent of women showed presence of a significant stress response in relation to being at risk of developing breast cancer. In multiple regression, state anxiety and breast cancer anxiety were both highly correlated with overestimating one's breast cancer risk and having experienced a breast cancer-related event in the family in the past year. State anxiety was strongly associated with a tendency to monitor for threatening information (t = 3.41, p = 0.001), and breast cancer anxiety was correlated with having had a relative die from breast cancer (t = 1.49, p = 0.006). Results suggest that women who have experienced a recent breast cancerrelated event in the family and those who have exaggerated risk perceptions are most likely to have high levels of psychological distress. Thus women are likely to benefit from supportive counselling and attempts at correcting inflated risk perceptions. A small group of women was identified who showed a significant stress response to being at risk of developing breast cancer. For these women clear pathways of referral for psychological or psychiatric assistance need to be accessible.

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Hereditary Cancer Clinic, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick 2: Medical Psychology Unit, University of Sydney 3: Department of Liaison Psychiatry, Randwick, Sydney 4: Queensland Clinical Genetics Service, Royal Children's Hospital, Queensland 5: Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 6: Genetic Services of Western Australia, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Subiaco, Western Australia 7: Peter Mac Callum Cancer Institute, Melbourne, Australia

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$45.29 plus tax Refund Policy

Psychological adjustment of women at increased risk of developing hereditary breast cancer