Predictors of psychological distress in breast cancer survivors: A biopsychosocial approach

OBJECTIVE: A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the extent to which perceived social support, cortisol-awaking response (CAR) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) interact to statistically predict psychological distress in breast cancer survivors. METHOD: Moderation analyses were performed to study the influence of some psychobiological variables on psychological distress. The sample was comprised by 80 survivor women. RESULTS: TNF-α moderate the relation between social support and psychological distress, with both high and moderate levels being significant. In relation to age, a negative association between social support and psychological distress was found only in younger- and middle-age women, while lower levels of CAR were associated with psychological distress in older breast cancer survivors. CONCLUSION: This study provides a biopsychosocial approach about the predictors of psychological distress among breast cancer survivors. Social support interventions during and after treatment may help to improve women's longer-term health and quality of live during survivorship.