Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management for Healthy Women at Risk for Breast Cancer: a Novel Application of a Proven Intervention. Issue 6 (20th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McGregor, Bonnie A.; Dolan, Emily D.; Murphy, Karly M.; Sannes, Timothy S.; Highland, Krista B.; Albano, Denise L.; Ward, Alison A.; Charbonneau, Anna M.; Redman, Mary W.; Ceballos, Rachel M.
• Is Part Of: Annals of behavioral medicine. Volume 49:Issue 6(2015)
• Page Start: 873
• Page End: 884
• Publication Date: 2015-08-20
• Subjects: Breast neoplasms risk -- Cognitive behavioral stress management -- Group psychotherapy -- Distress -- Relaxation practice -- Female; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; Sick -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Behavioral Medicine; 616.0019
• DOI: 10.1007/s12160-015-9726-z
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-6612

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Women at risk for breast cancer report elevated psychological distress, which has been adversely associated with cancer-relevant behaviors and biology. Purpose: The present study sought to examine the effects of a 10-week cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) group intervention on distress among women with a family history of breast cancer. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to CBSM ( N = 82) or a wait-list comparison group ( N = 76). Baseline to postintervention effects of CBSM on depressive symptoms and perceived stress were examined using hierarchical regression. Results: CBSM participants reported significantly lower posttreatment depressive symptoms ( β = −0.17, p < 0.05) and perceived stress ( β = −0.23, p < 0.05) than wait-list comparison participants. Additionally, greater relaxation practice predicted lower distress. Conclusions: Group-based CBSM intervention is feasible and can reduce psychological distress among women with a family history of breast cancer. The present findings represent an encouraging avenue for the future application of CBSM. (Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT00121160)