Predictors of psychological outcomes in a longitudinal study of Latina breast cancer survivors. Issue 11 (1st November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yanez, Betina; Maggard Gibbons, Melinda; Moreno, Patricia I.; Jorge, Alexandra; Stanton, Annette L.
• Is Part Of: Psychology & health. Volume 31:Issue 11(2016)
• Page Start: 1359
• Page End: 1374
• Publication Date: 2016-11-01
• Subjects: Latina -- breast cancer -- acculturation -- psychosocial -- distress -- treatment satisfaction; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; Attitude to Health -- Periodicals; Public Opinion -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2016.1208821
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-0446

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: This study sought to investigate the unique contributions of socio-ecological, cultural and cancer treatment-related factors in predicting depressive symptoms and cancer-specific distress among Latinas. Design: Participants were 140 English or Spanish-speaking Latinas ( M age = 50.6) with non-metastatic breast cancer who were assessed within two years of diagnosis (Time 1) and three months later (Time 2). Main Measures: Hierarchical regression analyses identified predictors of depressive symptoms and cancer-specific distress at Time 1 and 2. Results: Most women scored above the clinical cut-offs for depressive symptoms and cancer-specific distress. After adjusting for socio-ecological factors, greater Latino enculturation, measured by Latino ethnic identity, was significantly associated with greater cancer-specific distress at Time 1 ( β = .20, p < .05). A significant interaction ( p < .01) revealed that among women high on Latino identity, lower English language use was associated with more cancer-specific distress than higher English language use. After adjusting for socio-ecological factors, greater satisfaction with surgical treatment predicted improved depressive symptoms and cancer-specific distress across time ( β s range from −.31 to −.18, p s < .01). Conclusions: Findings elucidate the complex relationship between culture and psychological outcomes in the breast cancer context and suggest that treatment satisfaction might be an important intervention target for Latinas.