Attachment, emotion regulation, and adaptation to breast cancer: assessment of a mediational hypothesis

Ávila, Marisa; Brandão, Tânia; Teixeira, Joana; Coimbra, Joaquim Luís; Matos, Paula Mena

doi:10.1002/pon.3817

Cited by 26 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…In the context of breast cancer, both emotion suppression and lack of emotional awareness have generally been associated with poorer psychosocial outcomes, such as poorer quality of life, more pain and higher levels of psychological distress (e.g., Ávila et al, 2015;Baudic et al, 2016;Iwamitsu et al, 2005;Li et al, 2015;Mantani et al, 2007;Marrazzo et al, 2016;Schlatter & Cameron, 2010;Sousa, Guerra, & Lencastre, 2015;). One explanation for the negative effects of emotion suppression or control is suppression takes place late in the emotion generative and regulatory process.…”

Section: Emotion Regulation and Adaptation To Breast Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The specific reasons why attachment might facilitate or hinder adaptation to cancer, however, are less explored. Attachment is one factor that may shape this coping response (Ávila, Brandão, Teixeira, Coimbra, & Matos, 2015;Cabral, Matos, Beyers, & Soonens, 2012;Waldinger & Schulz, 2016). It is now clear that successful adaptation to breast cancer depends, in part, on patients' abilities to cope with the strong and complex emotions that are likely to arise (see Brandão, Tavares, Schulz, & Matos, 2016; for a review).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is now clear that successful adaptation to breast cancer depends, in part, on patients' abilities to cope with the strong and complex emotions that are likely to arise (see Brandão, Tavares, Schulz, & Matos, 2016; for a review). Attachment is one factor that may shape this coping response (Ávila, Brandão, Teixeira, Coimbra, & Matos, 2015;Cabral, Matos, Beyers, & Soonens, 2012;Waldinger & Schulz, 2016). While evidence has begun to accumulate about the role of emotion processes in mediating links between attachment and adaptation in other contexts (e.g., Cabral et al, 2012;Cloitre, Stovall-McClough, Zorbas, & Charuvastra, 2008;Karreman & Vingerhoets, 2012), studies examining this pathway in the context of cancer and breast cancer are lacking (one exception being Ávila et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Attachment and adaptation to breast cancer: The mediating role of avoidant emotion processes

2018

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Attachment insecurity is associated with difficulties in adapting to cancer. Accumulating evidence points to the influence of avoidant emotion processes in this association. This study explored this pathway by examining the association between attachment insecurity and quality of life in women with breast cancer, and by exploring the mediating role of two avoidant emotion processes in this association. Women with breast cancer (N = 155) completed measures of attachment, emotional suppression, emotional awareness and quality of life. Avoidance of attachment was positively associated with emotional suppression (β = .29, p < .01) and lack of emotional awareness (β = .27, p < .01), and negatively associated with quality of life (β = -.22, p < .05). Lack of emotional awareness partially mediated the relationship between attachment avoidance and quality of life (indirect effect β = -.12, p = .008). Attachment anxiety was not associated with any variable. Attachment avoidance may hinder the process of adaptation to breast cancer and difficulties in identifying and describing emotions may be partly responsible for this influence. Access to and ability to benefit from social and medical supports is likely to depend on being able to engage with others and recognise and process emotions effectively. Research and clinical implications are discussed.

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Section: Emotion Regulation and Adaptation To Breast Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Attachment and adaptation to breast cancer: The mediating role of avoidant emotion processes

2018

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“…The EPERIC subscale on Fear of rejection showed strong correlations with the three dependent variables, and also predicted negative affect. The secure attachment style (usually measured in terms of low scores on the avoidance and anxiety dimensions of attachment, which would correspond to low scores on Fear of rejection and abandonment), has been related to a better emotional state during illness (Ávila et al, 2015;Fagundes et al, 2014;Lo et al, 2010). Strong fear of rejection assumes hyper-activation of the mechanisms detecting such a threat, and this pattern is probably generalized into a more sensitive perception of other types of threat as well, such as the illness.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many studies have explored this relationship, and the secure attachment style has been related to better adjustment in managing the illness (Cicero, Lo Coco, Gullo, & Lo Verso, 2009;Lo et al, 2010;Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007). Very recently, relationships have been found between secure attachment and emotional well-being, particularly with the dimension of fear of rejection and abandonment (Alonso, Fontanil, & Ezama, 2016;Ávila, Brandão, Teixeira, Coimbra, & Matos, 2015;Fagundes, Jaremka, Malarkey, & KiecoltGlaser, 2014).…”

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confidence: 99%

Coordinación emocional en el afrontamiento del cáncer: alexitimia, apego y estrategias de afrontamiento como predictores de bienestar emocional en mujeres sometidas a radioterapia

Alonso¹,

Ezama²,

Gómez³

2017

Rev. iberoam. psicol. salud

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ABSTRACT. The purpose of this study was to deepen our understanding of how to support the emotional well-being of patients subjected to cancer treatment. It was based on the idea that cancer and its treatment make vital demand on the patient and that successful adjustment to their new situation requires good emotional coordination with those closest to them. In a cross-sectional study, 54 women with cancer (breast and lymphoma) about to begin radiotherapy reported on questionnaires on symptom severity, coping strategies, alexithymia, attachment, affect, and emotional well-being. Predictive value of the rest of the variables on affect and well-being was analyzed by multiple linear regression. Perceived severity of symptoms was relevant for predicting affect and emotional well-being. Strong Fear of rejection and abandonment was the best predictor of negative affect, while the alexithymia component Difficulty identifying feelings was the best predictor of positive affect. A problem-solving coping style was also relevant for positive and negative affect. The interpersonal nature of the variables studied is discussed, along with the need to include them to prevent risk of worse adjustment to the consequences of the illness. KEYWORDS: Alexithymia, Attachment, Coping with cancer, Psychological well-being.Coordinación emocional en el afrontamiento del cáncer: alexitimia, apego y estrategias de afrontamiento como predictores de bienestar emocional en mujeres sometidas a radioterapia RESUMEN. El objetivo del estudio es aportar conocimientos sobre cómo favorecer el bienestar emocional de pacientes en tratamiento por cáncer. Se parte de que el cáncer exige enfrentarse a tareas vitales para cuya resolución exitosa se requiere una buena coordinación emocional con las personas cercanas. En un estudio transversal, 54 mujeres con cáncer (mama y linfoma) a punto de comenzar radioterapia informaron a través de cuestionarios sobre: gravedad de los síntomas, modos de afrontamiento de la enfermedad, alexitimia, vínculo de apego, afectos positivos y negativos y bienestar emocional. Se analizó mediante regresión lineal múltiple el valor predictivo sobre los afectos y el bienestar del resto de variables. La gravedad percibida de los síntomas resulta relevante para predecir los afectos y el bienestar emocional. Un alto Temor al rechazo y al abandono es el mejor predictor de los afectos negativos, mientas el componente de la alexitimia Dificultad para identificar emociones lo es de los positivos. El estilo de afrontamiento orientado a la solución también resulta relevante para los afectos positivos y negativos. Se discute sobre el carácter interpersonal de las variables estudiadas y sobre la necesidad de incluirlas en la prevención del riesgo de peor ajuste a las consecuencias de la enfermedad.

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Attachment and posttraumatic growth after breast cancer: A dyadic approach

2017

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Attachment, emotion regulation, and adaptation to breast cancer: assessment of a mediational hypothesis

Cited by 26 publications

References 36 publications

Attachment and adaptation to breast cancer: The mediating role of avoidant emotion processes

Attachment and adaptation to breast cancer: The mediating role of avoidant emotion processes

Coordinación emocional en el afrontamiento del cáncer: alexitimia, apego y estrategias de afrontamiento como predictores de bienestar emocional en mujeres sometidas a radioterapia

Attachment and posttraumatic growth after breast cancer: A dyadic approach

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