Memories of paternal relations are associated with coping and defense mechanisms in breast cancer patients: an observational study

Chiara Renzi,Angela Tagini,Sara Gandini,Valeria Vadilonga,Nicole Rotmensz,Paola Arnaboldi,Florence Didier,Gabriella Pravettoni,Giada Perinel

doi:10.1186/s40359-017-0206-z

Chiara Renzi, Angela Tagini + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-017-0206-z

Copy DOI

Abstract

BackgroundBreast cancer diagnosis and treatment represent stressful events that demand emotional adjustment, thus recruiting coping strategies and defense mechanisms. As parental relations were shown to influence emotion regulation patterns and adaptive processes in adulthood, the present study investigated whether they are specifically associated to coping and defense mechanisms in patients with breast cancer.MethodsOne hundred and ten women hospitalized for breast cancer surgery were administered questionnaires assessing coping with cancer, defense mechanisms, and memories of parental bonding in childhood.ResultsHigh levels of paternal overprotection were associated with less mature defenses, withdrawal and fantasy and less adaptive coping mechanisms, such as hopelessness/helplessness. Low levels of paternal care were associated with a greater use of repression. No association was found between maternal care, overprotection, coping and defense mechanisms. Immature defenses correlated positively with less adaptive coping styles, while mature defenses were positively associated to a fighting spirit and to fatalism, and inversely related to less adaptive coping styles.ConclusionsThese data suggest that paternal relations in childhood are associated with emotional, cognitive, and behavioral regulation in adjusting to cancer immediately after surgery. Early experiences of bonding may constitute a relevant index for adaptation to cancer, indicating which patients are at risk and should be considered for psychological interventions.

Highlights

Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment represent stressful events that demand emotional adjustment, recruiting coping strategies and defense mechanisms
While the dispositional aspect of defense mechanisms is often theoretically emphasized in contrast to coping intended as strategies specific to a particular event, research indicated that both coping and defense mechanisms are influenced by personality traits as well as by the context [6 for a review]
Associations between Coping Styles and Defense Mechanisms with Parental Style (Care and Overprotection), possible confounding factors, types of treatments and other cancer prognostic factors were assessed by univariate analyses (Wilcoxon-rank tests and Spearman correlations coefficient) in order to identify variables to be included in the multivariate ANCOVA models

Summary

Introduction

Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment represent stressful events that demand emotional adjustment, recruiting coping strategies and defense mechanisms. As parental relations were shown to influence emotion regulation patterns and adaptive processes in adulthood, the present study investigated whether they are associated to coping and defense mechanisms in patients with breast cancer. Coping and defense mechanisms are two critical processes involved in adjustment to adverse situations such as the diagnosis of breast cancer. They were demonstrated to be inter-related, in the sense that even if they rely on different theoretical backgrounds and describe distinct psychological constructs, both aim at dealing with negative emotions and at restoring homeostasis. While the dispositional aspect of defense mechanisms is often theoretically emphasized in contrast to coping intended as strategies specific to a particular event, research indicated that both coping and defense mechanisms are influenced by personality traits as well as by the context [6 for a review]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion