Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Social Work

Advisor

Lindy Lewis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to illuminate the magnitude and prevalence of distress symptoms among female breast cancer patients and help identify best social work practices for treating distress symptoms in cancer patients. Using the social cognitive model of restorative well-being, the sustained effects of mindfulness-based interventions on distress symptoms female breast cancer patients experienced were examined in this study. Grounded in social cognitive theory, this model facilitated understanding of the recovery of well-being after an emotional setback. This quantitative experimental study included analysis of secondary data with pre- and post testing with multiple follow ups to measure the sustained effects, if any, of the intervention provided. The study addressed two research questions about the effect and persistent effect of mindfulness-based interventions on distress symptoms, such as stress and depression, among women with breast cancer following treatment. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Three measurement points in the analytical design included baseline, completion of the intervention, and 3-month follow up. Persistence of intervention effects (i.e., differences in measures between completion of the intervention and 3-month follow up) were also examined. Results indicated that the studied intervention was not effective in reducing depression and stress levels in women diagnosed with breast cancer. These results could be contributed to the short length of the intervention examined or possibly lack of continued use of mindfulness practices by participants afterwards. More research in this area is needed to determine which variations of mindfulness based interventions are most effective and appropriate for breast cancer patients.

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