Premium
The impact of social and personal resources on psychological distress in women at risk for hereditary breast cancer
Author(s) -
den Heijer Mariska,
Vos Joël,
Seynaeve Caroline,
Vanheusden Kathleen,
Duivenvoorden Hugo J.,
TilanusLinthorst Madeleine,
MenkePluymers Marian B. E.,
Tibben Aad
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.1879
Subject(s) - breast cancer , feeling , distress , social support , demographics , vulnerability (computing) , clinical psychology , personal distress , psychological distress , psychology , medicine , cancer , social psychology , psychiatry , anxiety , demography , computer security , sociology , computer science
Abstract Objective : The objectives of the present study were to (1) evaluate whether social and personal resources were independently related to psychological distress and (2) examine the interrelationships of social and personal resources in women at risk for hereditary breast cancer. Methods : General and breast cancer specific distress, family communication regarding hereditary breast cancer, perceived social support, self‐esteem, self‐concept, and demographics were assessed in 222 high‐risk women, having opted either for regular surveillance or prophylactic surgery. Results : Structural equation modeling showed that (1) both personal and social resources were independently associated with psychological distress and (2) the associations between social resources and psychological distress were partially mediated by personal resources. Support from family and friends was associated with a higher level of self‐esteem, which in turn was associated with less general distress. Furthermore, communication regarding cancer within the nuclear family was associated with decreased feelings of stigmatization, which in turn was associated with less general and breast cancer specific distress. Moreover, open communication within the family was associated with a reduced sense of vulnerability. Conclusion : Health workers involved in the care of high‐risk women should carefully monitor women's personal and social resources, and if compromised refer them for appropriate support. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.