The indirect effect of body image on distress in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy

Abstract

Backgroundbody image; breast neoplasms; adaptation psychological; optimism; psychological distressParticipants and procedureThis cross-sectional study included eighty-seven women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy, who answered in-struments that assessed sociodemographic and clinical issues, optimism, coping, concerns with body image and psycholog-ical distress. Bayesian statistics were performed to test the indirect effect model that included also the moderator effects.ResultsLower optimism, lower use of humor, and higher denial and illness duration predicted lower body image and higher dis-tress. Longer illness duration was associated with higher distress. Body image had an indirect effect in the relationship between optimism and distress; between denial coping and distress; between humor coping and distress and between illness duration and distress. Being submitted to surgery but not the type of surgery was a moderator in the indirect effect model.ConclusionsBody image is critical to psychological distress. Future interventions for women with breast cancer should consider body image as a target, in order to promote adaptive coping strategies specially when women have had surgery.