The psychological and psychosocial correlates of anxious-depressive symptoms observed in patients with breast cancer: a systematic review

Journal title PSICOLOGIA DELLA SALUTE
Author/s Graziana Florio, Chiara Abbatantuono, Linda A. Antonucci, Veronica Verri, Alessandro Taurino, Paolo Taurisano, Maria Fara De Caro
Publishing Year 2023 Issue 2023/1
Language Italian Pages 28 P. 59-86 File size 382 KB
DOI 10.3280/PDS2023-001010
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Studies aimed at investigating the psychological distress of breast cancer patients are be-coming increasingly numerous. However, the psychological and psychosocial correlates of anxiety-depressive symptoms (SAD) in breast cancer require further investigation given the heterogeneity of protocols used for psycho-oncological assessment. The present systematic review, conducted using Scopus database, pursued the twofold aim of identifying and classify-ing the main correlates of SAD in breast cancer patients, and further investigating the role played by these correlates toward the onset, maintenance and/or severity of SAD. The review, based on pre-established eligibility criteria and systematic screening and evaluation proce-dures, examined 64 observational studies (cross-sectional and longitudinal) published in the decade 2012-2022. The studies revealed a link between SAD (detected with screening instru-ments), anxiety and/or depression (assessed with specific questionnaires), and three macro-categories of constructs: 1. other symptoms of psychological distress, positively correlated with SAD; 2. psychological and psychosocial capital of patients, inversely correlated with SAD; and 3. additional factors influencing health and treatment adherence. The implications of the present literature review are realized in the opportunity to adopt integrated assessment and intervention protocols, directing future studies toward an analysis and greater understanding of the variability in assessment procedures and patients’ different responses to cancer-related dis-tress.

Keywords: systematic review, breast cancer, anxiety, depression, psycho-oncology assess-ment.

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Graziana Florio, Chiara Abbatantuono, Linda A. Antonucci, Veronica Verri, Alessandro Taurino, Paolo Taurisano, Maria Fara De Caro, I correlati psicologici e psicosociali dei sintomi ansioso-depressivi riscontrati in pazienti affette da carcinoma mammario: una rassegna sistematica in "PSICOLOGIA DELLA SALUTE" 1/2023, pp 59-86, DOI: 10.3280/PDS2023-001010