Emotional control and autonomic arousal in breast cancer patients

doi:10.1016/0022-3999(84)90080-1

Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Volume 28, Issue 6, 1984, Pages 467-474

https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(84)90080-1 Get rights and content

Abstract

Thirty breast cancer patients and 27 “healthy” controls were compared for differences in personality, reported emotional state and autonomic responses occurring under conditions of acute experimental stress. The data indicated that breast cancer patients were more likely than a control group to report a tendency to control emotional reactions, particularly anger, and to respond to stress using a repressive coping style. Emotional state reported at different points throughout the procedure suggested that the breast cancer group experienced more anxiety and disturbance but were more inclined to inhibit their reaction. There were no differences between the groups on autonomic measures but within the breast cancer group increased electrodermal activity was significantly associated with a tendency to respond to stress using a repressive coping style. The results are discussed in relation to psychobiological models of cancer.

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Emotional control and autonomic arousal in breast cancer patients

Abstract

Soc Sci Med

J Psychosom Res

J Psychosom Res

J Psychosom Res

J Psychosom Res

J Pers Ind Diff

J Psychosom Res

J Psychosom Res

Psychological considerations in cancer

Premorbid psychological factors as related to cancer incidence

J Behav Med

A psychological measures as a predictor of cancer

Cancer and the mind

Br J Psychiat

Stress and cancer

Update

Personality characteristics in males conducive to lung cancer

Br J Med Psychol

A further report on personality and psychological factors in lung cancer

Ann N Y Acad Sci

Psychosocial factors and breast cancer: a critical reevaluation of established hypotheses

Cancer Detect Prev

Personality characteristics of women with gynaecological cancer

Cancer Detect Prev