Depressive Symptom Trajectories During and After Adjuvant Treatment for Breast Cancer. Issue 3 (25th October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Donovan, Kristine A.; Gonzalez, Brian D.; Small, Brent J.; Andrykowski, Michael A.; Jacobsen, Paul B.
• Is Part Of: Annals of behavioral medicine. Volume 47:Issue 3(2014)
• Page Start: 292
• Page End: 302
• Publication Date: 2013-10-25
• Subjects: Breast cancer -- Depression -- Trajectory; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; Sick -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Behavioral Medicine; 616.0019
• DOI: 10.1007/s12160-013-9550-2
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-6612

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The course of depressive symptoms during and after breast cancer treatment is not well understood. Purpose: We identified patient subgroups based on distinct trajectories of depressive symptoms and determined whether subgroups could be distinguished by personal characteristics and coping strategies. Methods: Breast cancer patients completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale on clinically meaningful occasions and during the posttreatment period. The Illness Management Questionnaire was completed prior to treatment. Results: A three-class mixture model provided the best fit to the data. Subgroup membership was significantly ( p < .05) associated with marital status, history of depression, and focusing on symptoms. In multivariate analysis, marital status and focusing on symptoms remained significant ( p < .05) predictors of subgroup membership. Conclusions: Distinct trajectories can be identified during and after adjuvant breast cancer therapy. Predictors of these trajectories have implications for addressing depressive symptoms in this clinical population and for future research.