This study examined associations among anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep duration in a sample of middle-aged couples using the actor-partner interaction model with dyadic data. Self-report measures were completed independently by both partners as part of the health histories obtained during their annual preventive medical examinations in 2011 and 2012. Results showed that husbands' anxiety and depressive symptoms had a stronger effect on their wives' anxiety and depression than the other way around, but this was not moderated by one's own sleep duration. For both wives and husbands, higher levels of depressive symptoms and anxiety predicted shorter sleep duration for their partner 1 year later, although the effect of husbands' mental health on their wives' was again stronger. The findings suggest that sleep problems might better be treated as a couple-level phenomenon than an individual one, particularly for women.
Psychological coping responses likely modulate the negative physiological consequences of cancer-related demands. This longitudinal, observational study examined how approach- and avoidance-oriented strategies for coping with cancer are associated with diurnal cortisol rhythm in prostate cancer (PC) survivors. Sixty-six men (M age=65.76; SD=9.04) who had undergone radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy for localized PC within the prior two years reported their use of approach and avoidance coping via questionnaire at study entry (T1). Participants provided saliva samples (3 times per day over 3 days) for diurnal cortisol assessment at T1 and again 4 months later (T2). When controlling for relevant biobehavioral covariates, cancer-related avoidance-oriented coping was associated with flatter cortisol slopes at T1 (B=.34, p=.03) and at T2 (B=.30, p=.02). Approach-oriented coping was not associated with cortisol slope. Post-hoc analyses revealed a significant interaction between avoidant coping and time since completion of cancer treatment on T2 cortisol slope (B=−.05, p=.04). Men who used relatively more avoidance-oriented coping who were further in time from treatment demonstrated a flatter cortisol slope. High avoidance-oriented coping is associated with dysregulation of cortisol responses, which may be an important target for reducing stress during PC survivorship.
Objective The navigation of major life goals can be challenging to cancer survivors, particularly during young adulthood. This study examined the relationships of goal navigation skills (e.g., goal identification, goal clarification, goal adjustment) with having a sense of life meaning, emotion regulation coping processes, and physical and psychological health indicators in young adult survivors of testicular cancer. Methods Men ages 18 to 29 (N=171; M age=25.2, SD=3.32) with a history of testicular cancer were recruited via the California State Cancer Registry and completed questionnaire measures including assessments of goal navigation, sense of meaning, emotional approach coping, and indicators of physical and psychological well-being. Results Goal navigation skills were negatively related to depressive symptoms (r = −.41, p < .01) and positively related to physical functioning (r = .28, p < .01). Controlling for participant age and months since diagnosis, mediation models revealed significant indirect effects of sense of meaning on depressive symptoms (−.50, p < 0.05) and physical functioning (.34, p < 0.05). Similarly, emotion-regulating coping had significant indirect effects on depressive symptoms (−.08, p < 0.05) and physical functioning (.11, p < 0.05). Conclusions Consistent with a self-regulation framework, goal navigation skill is related to physical and psychological well-being via its association with maintenance of a sense of meaning as well as successful attempts at regulation of emotions. The study provides preliminary evidence that these skill-based processes relate to adjustment to cancer in young adults.
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