Petronis, V. M., Carver, C. S., Antoni, M. H., & Weiss, S. (2003). Investment in body image and psychosocial well-being among women treated for early stage breast cancer: Partial replication and extension. Psychology and Health, 18, 1-13.
We examined relations between two aspects of investment in body
image and several indicators of well being in 237 women (62 Hispanic,
25 African American) with Stage 0, I, and II breast cancer. Women were
assessed at 3, 6, or 12 months post-surgery. Predictor variables were
Concern About Appearance and Concern about Body Integrity. In contrast
to previous research, Concern About Appearance did not relate to
elevated distress. However, Concern About Body Integrity related to
elevated distress, social disruption, several indices of psychosexual
disruption, and reports of having concerns about potential further
adverse outcomes from treatment. The effects that were obtained
generalized to the 3 ethnicities studied, and some of the associations
were significantly stronger among Hispanics than other
participants. Future research should consider how personal
investment in body image relates to other vulnerabilities for
disruption in response to treatment for breast cancer.
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