Empirical validation of the integrative psychological group intervention for women with breast cancer - preliminary results

Background/Aim. Breast cancer diagnosis is an extremely stressful life event that brings a number of physical and psychological challenges. However, supportive and psychoeducational group interventions can significantly decrease psychological distress in patients. The aim of this study was to empirically validate the effects of the integrative psychological group intervention, regarding the affective state of women who underwent breast cancer surgery at the Oncology Institute of Vojvodina. Methods. This study was conducted on a sample of 30 women, with the average age of 53.17 years (standard deviation ? SD = 10.09). Following the surgical intervention, the inpatients participated in an integrative group session consisting of the following parts: 1) supportive-expressive, 2) psycho-educational and 3) healtheducational. Before the session, participants filled in a demographic data questionnaire, measures of positive and negative affect (PANAS), optimism (LOT-R), hope (AHS), neuroticism (BFI) and symptoms of depression (DASS-21). At the end of the group sessions, the participants filled in the PANAS again. Results. A paired-samples t-test showed that following an intervention, a statistically significant increase in positive affect had occurred (t(29) = -4.44, p < 0.001). For negative affect, the t-test also yields the statistically significant results (t(29) = 5.60, p < 0.001), showing that intervention led to a significant decrease in negative affect. The nonparametric Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test also confirmed these results. The multiple regression analysis (F (4, 25) = 3.46, p = 0.02) showed that high neuroticism and low symptoms of depression significantly predicted a greater increase in positive affect following the session. Another regression analysis (F (4, 25) = 3.32, p = 0.03) showed that the higher symptoms of depression and, marginally, higher hope significantly predicted a greater decrease in negative affect. Conclusion. Our results showed that the integrative psychological group intervention had positive short-term effects regarding the affective state of women who underwent breast cancer surgery, and that different psychological variables can play a significant role in prediction of changes in patients? affect.

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Personality traits as predictors of the affective state in patients after breast cancer surgery

Archive of oncology ◽

10.2298/aoo1701003n ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 3-8

Author(s):

Ivana Novakov ◽

Svetlana Popovic-Petrovic

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Negative Affect ◽

Personality Traits ◽

Stressful Life Event ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Affective State ◽

Cancer Surgery ◽

Breast Cancer Surgery ◽

Life Orientation Test ◽

Significant Model

Background. Breast cancer diagnosis is an extremely stressful life event that brings a number of physical and psycho?logical challenges. Studies show that there is a high prevalence of psychological distress and symptoms of anxiety and depression among the diagnosed individuals. Although it is known that personality traits are strong predisposing factors for elevated experience of distress, research in oncology continues to be more focused on disease-related variables. In order to explore the role of personality traits in the experience of distress, the aim of our study was to examine the predictive value of personality characteristics such as neuroticism, hope, and optimism regarding the affective state of the patients after breast cancer surgery. Methods. The study was conducted on 40 women who had undergone breast cancer surgery, aged from 33 to 69 years (Mean = 55.02, SD = 9.18). The participants completed the following measures: Basic Demographic Data Questionnaire, The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Life Orientation Test - Revised (LOT-R), Adult Hope Scale (AHS) and Neuroticism subscale from Big Five Inventory (BFI). Results. Two multiple regression analysis were performed, with the participants' age, level of hope, optimism and neuroticism as predictors and positive/negative affect as the criteria variables. In the first analysis, a statistically significant model was obtained (F 4, 35 = 3.05, p = 0.03), with optimism being the only significant predictor of positive affect. The second analysis also yields a statistically significant model (F 4, 35 = 3.32, p = 0.02), where neuroticism, and, marginally, optimism turned out to be significant predictors of negative affect. Conclusion. Our study showed that optimism and neuroticism may be important predictors of the affective state after breast cancer surgery. Therefore, it is important to include these factors in the screening batteries for early detection of vulnerable individuals and to take them into account when planning psychological interventions.

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