Passive coping and psychological distress in women adhering to regular breast cancer surveillance

• Published in: Psycho-oncology (Chichester, England) Vol. 16; no. 9; pp. 851 - 858
• Main Authors: Pieterse, K., van Dooren, S., Seynaeve, C., Bartels, C.C.M., Rijnsburger, A.J., de Koning, H.J., Klijn, J.G.M., van Elderen, T., Tibben, A., Duivenvoorden, H.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.09.2007; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - genetics; Breast Neoplasms - psychology; coping; Coping style; Depressive Disorder, Major - diagnosis; Depressive Disorder, Major - epidemiology; Depressive Disorder, Major - psychology; Female; Heritability; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mammography; Middle Aged; Oncology; Patient Compliance - statistics & numerical data; Population Surveillance; Prevalence; Psychological aspects; psychological distress; Risk factors; Screening; Social Support; surveillance; Surveys and Questionnaires; Women; Netherlands
• ISSN: 1057-9249; 1099-1611
• DOI: 10.1002/pon.1135

Since 2000 the MRISC study evaluates the psychological consequences of regular breast cancer surveillance for women at increased risk for hereditary breast cancer. Coping style may influence these psychological consequences. In a cohort of 357 women at increased risk for hereditary breast cancer, the impact of coping styles on the course, divided into level and trend of psychological distress (general and breast cancer specific) was examined, around two consecutive surveillance appointments. With structural equation modelling we found passive coping to be associated with higher levels of both general and breast cancer specific distress. Seeking social support, expression of emotions and thinking comforting thoughts were associated with lower levels of psychological distress. Coping style was not associated with the trend of psychological distress around the two surveillance appointments. It is recommendable to take coping styles into account when counselling these high‐risk women. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.