Background Fear of a breast cancer recurrence is the most prevalent and disruptive source of distress for long-term survivors and their partners. However, few studies have focused on predictors of fear of recurrence. The aim of this study is to test the efficacy of the Social Cognitive Processing Theory (SCPT) in predicting fear of recurrence in long-term breast cancer survivors diagnosed at age 45 or younger and their partners. Methods In a large cross-sectional study, breast cancer survivors (N=222) 3–8 years from diagnosis and their partners completed a survey assessing demographic characteristics, fear of recurrence, social constraints, and cognitive processing (intrusive thoughts and cognitive avoidance). Mediation analyses were conducted for survivors and partners separately to determine if cognitive processing would mediate the relationship between social constraints and fear of recurrence. Results Cognitive processing mediated the relationship between social constraints and fear of recurrence both for survivors [F(3,213)= 47.541, R2=.401, p<.001] and partners [F(3,215)= 27.917, R2=.280, p<.001). Demographic variables were not significant predictors of fear of recurrence. Conclusions As predicted, cognitive processing mediated the relationship between social constraints and fear of recurrence. Results expand the utility of the SCPT in long-term survivors and their partners by supporting its use in intervention design.

¿Es la comunicación una habilidad? Las habilidades comunicativas para mantener una buena relación Is communication a skill? Communication behaviors and being-inrelation

Purpose Long-term breast cancer survivors frequently report distress (i.e. depressive symptoms) that impacts their quality of life. Previous studies have found negative social interactions (social constraints) from partners contribute to long-term, unresolved cycling of intrusive thoughts and cognitive avoidance, resulting in psychological distress. However, these relationships have not been tested in long-term breast cancer survivors. Furthermore, the affect of partners’ depressive symptoms on the survivors’ depressive symptoms have not been tested within the context of these relationships. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to test relationships between breast cancer survivors’ depressive symptoms and 1) social constraints, cognitive avoidance, and intrusive thoughts, and 2) partners’ depressive symptoms. Methods Data were from a cross-sectional descriptive study of breast cancer survivors (N=222) 3–8 years post diagnosis and their partners, who completed surveys assessing demographic characteristics, social constraints, intrusive thoughts, cognitive avoidance, and depressive symptoms. Structural equation modeling confirmatory path analyses were conducted to determine significant relationships between breast cancer survivors’ depressive symptoms and all other variables. Results Our model fit the data well. Breast cancer survivors’ depressive symptoms were predicted by social constraints and intrusive thoughts. The relationship between survivors’ depressive symptoms and partners’ depressive symptoms was close but not significant. Conclusions As hypothesized, depressive symptoms were predicted by social constraints and intrusive thoughts. Further research is needed to understand the possible relationship between survivors’ long-term depressive symptoms and cognitive avoidance and partners’ depressive symptoms. Our findings highlight the negative impact of social constraints from partners on psychological outcomes in long-term breast cancer survivors.

Purpose/Objectives To determine 1) if depressive symptoms in partners of long-term breast cancer survivors (BCS) could be predicted by social cognitive processing theory, and 2) if partners of younger and older breast cancer survivors were differentially affected by the cancer experience. Design A cross-sectional, descriptive study utilizing self-report questionnaires. Setting Indiana University and 97 ECOG-ACRIN sites. Sample Partners of breast cancer survivors (n=508) diagnosed 3–8 years prior. Methods Secondary data mediation analyses were conducted to determine if cognitive processing mediated the relationship between social constraints and depressive symptoms. Age-related differences on all scales were tested. Main Research Variables Depressive symptoms; secondary variables included social constraints, cognitive processing (avoidance and intrusive thoughts), and potentially confounding variables. Findings Cognitive processing mediated the relationship between social constraints and depressive symptoms for partners (F(5,498) = 19.911, R2=.167, p<.001). Partners of young BCS reported worse outcomes on all measures than partners of older breast cancer survivors Conclusions As predicted by the social cognitive processing theory, cognitive processing mediated the relationship between social constraints and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, partners of younger BCS fared worse on social constraints, intrusive thoughts and depressive symptoms than partners of older BCS. Implications for Nursing Results provide support for using the social cognitive processing theory in intervention design with partners of long-term BCS to decrease depressive symptoms.