Optimism and depression: a new look at social support as a mediator among women at risk for breast cancer

Psycho-oncology
Melissa J GarnerDenise Albano

Abstract

Breast cancer risk is a chronic stressor associated with depression. Optimism is associated with lower levels of depression among breast cancer survivors. However, to our knowledge, no studies have explored the relationship between optimism and depression among women at risk for breast cancer. We hypothesized that women at risk for breast cancer who have higher levels of optimism would report lower levels of depression and that social support would mediate this relationship. Participants (N = 199) with elevated distress were recruited from the community and completed self-report measures of depression, optimism, and social support. Participants were grouped based on their family history of breast cancer. Path analysis was used to examine the cross-sectional relationship between optimism, social support, and depressive symptoms in each group. Results indicated that the variance in depressive symptoms was partially explained through direct paths from optimism and social support among women with a family history of breast cancer. The indirect path from optimism to depressive symptoms via social support was significant (β = -.053; 90% CI = -.099 to -.011, p = .037) in this group. However, among individuals without a family history ...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1991·Health Psychology : Official Journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association·C LermanA Boyce
Dec 1, 1983·Journal of Health and Social Behavior·S CohenR Mermelstein
Aug 1, 1981·Journal of Abnormal Psychology·C J Holahan, R H Moos
Feb 1, 1996·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·N BolgerR Ng
Jul 13, 2000·Annals of Behavioral Medicine : a Publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine·J ErblichH B Valdimarsdottir
Feb 16, 2002·Journal of Behavioral Medicine·Heiddis B ValdimarsdottirDana H Bovbjerg
Apr 10, 2003·Health Psychology : Official Journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association·Petra Symister, Ronald Friend
Aug 20, 2003·Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·Joseph J Trunzo, Bernardine M Pinto
Sep 16, 2005·Health Psychology : Official Journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association·Charles S CarverRobert P Derhagopian
Aug 13, 2010·Health Promotion Journal of Australia : Official Journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals·Husna RazeeN Wah Cheung
Jun 14, 2012·Psychology, Health & Medicine·Deborah A Colby, Kim Shifren
Oct 15, 2013·Psycho-oncology·Allison J ApplebaumWilliam Breitbart

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Aug 26, 2015·Breast Cancer Research and Treatment·Steven S CoughlinSelina A Smith
Jun 8, 2017·Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology·Maik ThiemeAndreas Hinz
May 5, 2017·Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology·Tomoko Matsui, Hitoshi Tanimukai
Dec 19, 2018·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Yizhen RenXiongzhao Zhu
Jan 7, 2019·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Kathryn OsannEdward L Nelson
Aug 20, 2021·Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences·Nor Zuraida ZainalSue-Yin Low
Sep 5, 2021·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Yangjun LiuPernilla Lagergren

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.