The link between ambivalence over emotional expression and depressive symptoms among Chinese breast cancer survivors.
The link between ambivalence over emotional expression and depressive symptoms among Chinese breast cancer survivors.
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DOI：
10.1016/j.jpsychores.2015.01.007
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发表时间：
2015-08
影响因子：
4.7
通讯作者：
LeRoy AS
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Lu Q;Man J;You J;LeRoy AS
情感表达的矛盾（Ambivalence over emotional expression，AEE）是想要表达情感与害怕这种表达的后果之间的冲突。最近的文献揭示了AEE和大学生抑郁症状之间的密切联系。尽管癌症幸存者经历过强烈的情绪，但很少有研究探讨AEE和抑郁症状之间的关系以及癌症幸存者的潜在机制。此外，在亚洲人中缺乏相关研究，他们的文化不鼓励情绪表达。本研究调查了AEE与亚洲乳腺癌幸存者抑郁症状的关系，并将侵入性思维作为中介进行了研究。侵入性想法是关于压力事件的重复和不必要的想法。我们假设AEE会增加侵入性思维，这反过来会增加抑郁症状。共有118名华裔美国乳腺癌幸存者完成了一份问卷，包括情绪表达矛盾问卷（AEQ）、简明症状量表（BSI）和事件影响量表（IES）。AEE与抑郁症状（β = 0.45，p <0.001）和侵入性思维（β = 0.41，p <0.001）呈正相关。此外，侵入性思维部分解释了AEE和抑郁症状之间的关系（z = 3.77，p < .001）。这些结果表明，对情绪表达高度矛盾的中国乳腺癌幸存者可能会增加抑郁症状的风险，这种关系可以部分解释为认知机制：侵入性思维。未来的研究可能会探索其他介质，并设计专门针对减少AEE和侵入性想法的干预措施，最终目标是减少抑郁症。
Ambivalence over emotional expression (AEE) is the conflict between wanting to express emotion yet fearing the consequences of such expression. Recent literature reveals a close link between AEE and depressive symptoms among college students. Although cancer survivors experience intense emotions, few studies have examined the relationship between AEE and depressive symptoms and the underlying mechanisms among cancer survivors. Furthermore, relevant research is absent among Asians, whose culture discourages emotional expression. The present study investigated AEE’s associations with depressive symptoms in Asian breast cancer survivors, and examined intrusive thoughts as a mediator. Intrusive thoughts are repetitive and unwanted thoughts about stressful events. We hypothesized that AEE would increase intrusive thoughts which in turn would increase depressive symptoms. A total of 118 Chinese American breast cancer survivors completed a questionnaire packet containing the Ambivalence over Emotional Expression Questionnaire (AEQ), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and the Impact of Event Scale (IES). AEE was positively associated with depressive symptoms (β = .45, p < .001) and intrusive thoughts (β = .41, p < .001). Additionally, intrusive thoughts partially explained the relationship between AEE and depressive symptoms (z = 3.77, p < .001). These results suggest that Chinese breast cancer survivors who are highly ambivalent over emotional expression may have increased risk for depressive symptoms, and such relationships can be partially explained by a cognitive mechanism: intrusive thoughts. Future research may explore other mediators and design interventions specifically targeted at reducing AEE and intrusive thoughts with the ultimate goal of reducing depression.