Browsing by Author "Otto, Amy K."
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Item Cognitive and emotional factors in fear of cancer recurrence among breast cancer patients and their partners(University of Delaware, 2018) Otto, Amy K.Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is one of the most commonly-reported and distressing concerns of both cancer survivors (e.g., Allen, Savadatti, & Levy, 2009; Baker, Denniston, Smith, & West, 2005) and their partners (e.g., Hodges & Humphris, 2009; Mellon, Kershaw, Northouse, & Freeman-Gibb, 2007). Most research acknowledges that FCR is a multidimensional construct, consisting of at least cognitive and emotional components; however, few have actually distinguished between or assessed both of these components, despite their potentially unique implications for adjustment to cancer (Park, Cho, Blank, & Wortmann, 2013). The goal of the proposed study was to contribute to a better understanding of the definition and nature of FCR in both breast cancer patients and their partners by identifying its putative cognitive and emotional components (eFCR and cFCR, respectively), describing the longitudinal course of these components over the first year after diagnosis, and examining the ways in which the components of FCR may affect each other within a dyadic context. Results suggested that FCR is indeed better conceptualized as two separate but related cognitive and emotional factors. In both patients and their partners, levels of emotional FCR were found to decrease on average over the course of the first year post-diagnosis, while cognitive FCR exhibited a flat trajectory over this same time period. Within a dyadic context, it was found that an individual’s emotional FCR was not predictive of later eFCR in themselves or their partner, nor was it predictive of later perceived risk in their partner. However, within the same individual, lower perceived risk and greater eFCR each predicted later elevated perceived risk. Overall, results support the idea of FCR as a multidimensional construct and underscore the importance of distinguishing between emotional and cognitive components of FCR in future research.Item Goal pursuit mediates effects of a gratitude intervention on death-related fear of recurrence in breast cancer survivors(University of Delaware, 2015) Otto, Amy K.One of the most prevalent and distressing concerns endorsed by breast cancer survivors is fear of cancer recurrence (FOR), and one of the most salient facets is the worry that a recurrence of cancer could cause one's death. The primary goal of the present study was to test the effects of a brief gratitude intervention on overall FOR and death-related FOR, with pursuit of meaningful goals examined as a potential mediator. Positive affect (PA) was also examined as both an outcome of the intervention and as a mediator of observed effects of the intervention on FOR. Sixty-seven women with early-stage breast cancer were randomly assigned to either a six-week online gratitude intervention or a six-week online control condition. Although the intervention did not predict changes in overall FOR, results revealed that patients in the gratitude intervention experienced a significant decrease in death-related FOR compared to the control condition. Moreover, this effect was partially mediated by goal pursuit. The gratitude intervention was also found to prevent a decline in PA observed in the control condition; however, PA did not mediate the effects of the intervention on death-related FOR. Overall, findings support the notion that gratitude promotes psychological adaptation to cancer by promoting the pursuit of meaningful goals and subsequently reducing death-related FOR.Item Psychosocial Impact of Cancer Care Disruptions in Women With Breast Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic(Frontiers in Psychology, 2021-06-14) Soriano, Emily C.; Perndorfer, Christine; Otto, Amy K.; Fenech, Alyssa L.; Siegel, Scott D.; Dickson-Witmer, Diana; Clements, Lydia; Laurenceau, Jean-PhilippeBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions in cancer care, and preliminary research suggests that these disruptions are associated with increased levels of psychosocial distress among cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to offer a descriptive report of the psychosocial functioning, perceived risk and fear of cancer progression, and COVID-19 pandemic impact and experiences in a unique, high-risk patient cohort: breast cancer survivors whose cancer treatment was delayed and/or changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 50 women with dual carcinoma in situ, lobular carcinoma in situ, or invasive breast cancer whose cancer surgery was postponed due to the pandemic. As they awaited delayed surgery or shortly after they received delayed surgery, participants completed questionnaires on psychosocial functioning (depression, anxiety, sleep, and quality of life), their perceived risk and fear of cancer progression, patient-provider communication about disruptions in their care, personal impact of the pandemic, worry/threat about COVID-19, and COVID-19 symptoms/diagnoses. Descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations were computed among continuous study variables. Independent samples t-tests explored group differences in psychosocial functioning between survivors who were still awaiting delayed surgery and those who had recently received it. Results: Overall, the sample denied that the pandemic seriously negatively impacted their finances or resource access and reported low-to-moderate levels of psychosocial distress and fear about COVID-19. Twenty-six percent had clinically significant levels of fear of cancer progression, with levels comparable to other recent work. About a third were still awaiting delayed cancer surgery and this group reported lower satisfaction with communication from oncology providers but overall did not seem to report more psychosocial difficulties than those who already had surgery. Conclusion: Shortly before or after primary breast cancer surgery that was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this sample of survivors appears to be generally managing well psychosocially. However, many psychosocial difficulties (e.g., fear of cancer recurrence/progression) typically have an onset after the completion of treatment, therefore, research should continue to follow this cohort of cancer survivors as the pandemic’s direct impact on their care likely increases their risk for these difficulties later in survivorship.