Effects of optimism, interpersonal relationships, and distress on psychosexual well-being among women with early stage breast cancer

Abstract

This study examined associations between optimism, social support, and distress as they relate to psychosexual well-being among 136 women with Stage 0, I, and II breast cancer. Women were assessed immediately post-surgery and 3, 6, and 12 months post-surgery. Results support two cross-sectional mediation models. The first model indicates that patients who are more optimistic experience greater psychosexual well-being (i.e., feel more feminine, attractive, and sexually desirable) partly because they perceive themselves as having more social support available. The second model indicates that patients who are more optimistic experience greater psychosexual well-being partly because they experience less emotional distress related to the disease. When the two models were tested simultaneously, distress no longer contributed uniquely to the model at any time point except for 12 months follow-up.

Conceito psicológico de otimismo e uso de drogas entre estudantes de enfermagem

“…The following data collection instruments were used: Life Orientation Test (LOT) (9,(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16) : validated for Brazilian Portuguese (14) with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.68. It aims to measure the life orientation construct, considering the more or less optimistic way people perceive their lives.…”

“…In one study, low levels of optimism serves as predictive factors of difficulties to adapt to the academic environment in college students, in terms of depressive symptoms, feelings of solitude and stress symptoms throughout the first course year, and also of lesser academic performance in subsequent years (9,11) . A more recent study by one of the researchers on this theme (12) served to compare the optimistic perception of women who underwent breast cancer surgery. Among other information, the study concludes that women who reported greater optimism perceived greater social support from partners, family and friends.…”

“…Although no study was found which related psychoactive substance use and optimism, research on this theme is considered important, as the analyzed studies (9,(11)(12)(13)(14)(15) do not address this theme. Thus, the present is a practically unedited study on the theme and relevant for Nursing.…”

Impacto da satisfação com apoio social em atletas.

“…A maioria dos autores definem a satisfação com o suporte social, como a avaliação cognitiva que o indivíduo faz em relação ao tipo e/ou qualidade do suporte social disponível (Trunzo & Bernardine, 2003), podendo afirmar que a disponibilidade dos outros, medeia a relação entre o stress e a saúde (Button, 2008), e que a perceção da disponibilidade do suporte social se associa a uma adaptação fisiológica e psicológica do indivíduo (Wimberly, Carver, & Antoni, 2008).…”

“…Diversas investigações comprovam os efeitos mediadores na proteção da saúde, na longevidade e na mortalidade, bem como ajuda a prevenir e recuperar a doença, e a aliviar o distress em situações de crise (Badoux, 2000;Bancila, 2006;Broadhead, Kaplan, James, Wagner, Schoenbach, Grimson, Heyden, Tibblin, & Gehlbach, 1983;Coelho & Ribeiro, 2000;Dunbar, Ford, & Hunt, 1998;Ell, Nishimoto, Mediansky, Mantell, & Hamovitch, 1992;Hanson, Isacsson, Janzon, & Lindell, 1989;Hohaus & Berah, 1996;Kessler, Price, & Wortman, 1985;Magaya, Asner-Self, & Schreiber, 2005;Ornelas, 1996;Quick, Saleh, Sime, & Martin, 2006;Ribeiro, 2007;Ridder & Schreurs, 1996;Rutter & Quine, 1996;Schwarzer & Leppin, 1991;Serra, 1999;Singer & Lord, 1984;Southwick, Vythilingam, & Charney, 2005;Wethingston & Kessler, 1986;Wimberly, Carver, & Antoni, 2008).…”