Negative affect and barriers to exercise among early stage breast cancer patients

Health Psychol. 2008 Mar;27(2):275-9. doi: 10.1037/0278-6133.27.2.275.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the relative frequency of and barriers to exercise among women with breast cancer while controlling for cancer-relevant and demographic factors.

Design: The present study employed concurrent samples, correlational research design.

Main outcome measures: Exercise frequency and its association with negative affect and barriers to exercise, independent of cancer treatment, among women (N=176) with Stage I or II breast cancer who were 3, 6, and 12 months postsurgery.

Results: After accounting for cancer-relevant and control variables, degree of negative affect and frequency of perceived barriers were significantly inversely associated with exercise.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that attention to both emotional factors and psychosocial barriers to exercise may be warranted to further understand exercise among women with early stage breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Cohort Studies
  • Culture
  • Depression / psychology*
  • Exercise / psychology*
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Mastectomy / psychology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Surveys and Questionnaires