Depression and anxiety in women with breast cancer: the rol of affectivity and social support

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To establish the relationship between affectivity and social support profile and the presence and severity of depression and anxiety among women with breast cancer. METHOD: 235 patients completed measures of depression, anxiety, affectivity and social support. RESULTS: Variables that predicted depressive symptoms were as follows: positive affectivity in last weeks, negative affectivity in last weeks, number of people that bring support to the patient, negative affectivity in general and illness time of evolution. Variables that predicted anxiety symptoms: negative affectivity in last weeks, positive affectivity in last weeks, negative affectivity in general and number of people that bring support to the patient. CONCLUSION: In congruence with previous reports among other kind of populations, a low average of positive affectivity and high negative affectivity explained depression and anxiety comorbidity. Additionally, more evidence about the association between these mental disorders and the level of social support is documented in patients with breast cancer.