Self-compassion and psychological distress in breast cancer (V1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Testing the relationship between self-compassion and psychological distress in breast cancer: Considering mediation effects through worry and rumination.
IRAS ID
220801
Contact name
Stephen Brown
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 6 days
Research summary
Research indicates that 20 - 40% of breast cancer patients develop clinically significant levels of anxiety and depression in the first year after diagnosis, which is twice that found in the general female population. For a small but significant minority, distress can persist many years into survivorship. As such, research has focused its attention towards protective factors for this client group, with some promising findings highlighting the role of self-compassion, the capacity to be kind and accepting towards oneself in the face of threat, in the cancer-distress relationship. \n\nThere is growing evidence to suggest that self-compassion promotes psychological well-being in non-clinical, chronic health, mixed cancer and more specifically, breast cancer samples. However, a self-compassionate approach to reducing psychological distress has not been tried with a breast cancer sample, outside of those experiencing body image concerns. \n\nWe hypothesise that trait self-compassion reduces psychological distress (i.e. anxiety and depression) in a sample of women with breast cancer, because it reduces worry about and rumination on threat. Identification of protective factors, namely self-compassion as a buffer against rumination and worry, could help breast services to develop routine or tailored interventions underpinned by theory for breast cancer patients. \n\nMETHOD\nThe study will utilise a longitudinal design. At time one patients will be asked to complete four self-report questionnaires focusing on self-compassion, worry, rumination and levels of anxiety and depression. At a three month follow-up patients will be asked to complete one self-report questionnaire focusing on levels of anxiety and depression, via telephone. \n\nSAMPLE\nFemale patients aged 18 years and above, attending the ’Moving Forward’ clinic at the Linda McCartney Centre, Royal Liverpool University Hospital after undergoing treatment for a diagnosis of breast cancer. The breast team will initially approach those eligible via letter with the study information and participation is optional.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0316
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion