The Role of Attachment Styles on Quality of Life and Distress Among Early-Stage Female Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

• Published in: Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings Vol. 30; no. 4; pp. 724 - 739
• Main Authors: Karveli, Spyridoula, Galanis, Petros, Mitropoulou, Eirini Marina, Karademas, Evangelos, Markopoulos, Christos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.12.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adjustment; Anxiety; Attachment; Breast cancer; Coping; Emotional regulation; Emotions; Family Medicine; Females; General Practice; Health Psychology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental health; Oncology; Patients; Quality of life; Surgeons; Systematic review; Attachment dimensions; Breast cancer survivors; Psychological distress; Quality of life
• ISSN: 1068-9583; 1573-3572
• DOI: 10.1007/s10880-023-09940-w

Cancer patients’ quality of life (QoL) and distress are affected by dispositional factors such as attachment anxiety or avoidance. In this review, we aimed to provide a thorough overview of the relationship between attachment dimensions and QoL and distress among early-stage breast cancer patients. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search using PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cinahl, Google Scholar, and PMC Europe. We reviewed 8 eligible studies describing 1180 patients. Insecure attachment appeared to be related to poorer QoL and higher distress levels. Avoidant attachment was more frequent and was more often associated with more negative outcomes. Healthcare providers should consider investigating modifiable personality traits in the immediate post diagnosis period to identify patients more vulnerable to mental health problems, deliver personalized care, and reduce emotional burden.