Abstract
Introduction: Demoralization is a relatively neglected issue in which low morale and poor coping result from a stressor such as familial cancer risk. Female BRCA1/2 mutation carriers are highly susceptible for developing breast and ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate demoralization in oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and its relation to quality of life. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined 288 oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers using the following standardized self-report measures: Demoralization Scale, EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Cancer Worry Scale. Results: The mean score on the Demoralization Scale was 17.8 (SD 14.0). A clinically significant level of demoralization, defined as a score ≥30, was found in 45 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers (16%). Being highly demoralized was associated with a significantly lower quality of life, and higher levels of physical problems, anxiety and cancer worries. No demographic or clinical factors could predict higher levels of demoralization. Conclusions: Our findings established that a clear proportion of oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers experience demoralization impacting on their well-being. Further research is needed to explore the natural trajectory of demoralization and the resultant need for support in these women.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 96-104 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology |
| Volume | 39 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 10 Mar 2017 |
Keywords
- Anxiety
- BRCA mutation
- demoralization
- quality of life
- risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy
Cite this
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High demoralization in a minority of oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers influences quality of life. / Arts-de Jong, Marieke; DeJong, Cor A.J.; Hermens, Rosella P.; Kissane, David W.; Massuger, Leon M.; Hoogerbrugge, Nicoline; Prins, Judith B.; deHullu, Joanne A.
In: Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Vol. 39, No. 2, 10.03.2017, p. 96-104.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - High demoralization in a minority of oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers influences quality of life
AU - Arts-de Jong, Marieke
AU - DeJong, Cor A.J.
AU - Hermens, Rosella P.
AU - Kissane, David W.
AU - Massuger, Leon M.
AU - Hoogerbrugge, Nicoline
AU - Prins, Judith B.
AU - deHullu, Joanne A.
PY - 2017/3/10
Y1 - 2017/3/10
N2 - Introduction: Demoralization is a relatively neglected issue in which low morale and poor coping result from a stressor such as familial cancer risk. Female BRCA1/2 mutation carriers are highly susceptible for developing breast and ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate demoralization in oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and its relation to quality of life. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined 288 oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers using the following standardized self-report measures: Demoralization Scale, EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Cancer Worry Scale. Results: The mean score on the Demoralization Scale was 17.8 (SD 14.0). A clinically significant level of demoralization, defined as a score ≥30, was found in 45 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers (16%). Being highly demoralized was associated with a significantly lower quality of life, and higher levels of physical problems, anxiety and cancer worries. No demographic or clinical factors could predict higher levels of demoralization. Conclusions: Our findings established that a clear proportion of oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers experience demoralization impacting on their well-being. Further research is needed to explore the natural trajectory of demoralization and the resultant need for support in these women.
AB - Introduction: Demoralization is a relatively neglected issue in which low morale and poor coping result from a stressor such as familial cancer risk. Female BRCA1/2 mutation carriers are highly susceptible for developing breast and ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate demoralization in oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and its relation to quality of life. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined 288 oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers using the following standardized self-report measures: Demoralization Scale, EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Cancer Worry Scale. Results: The mean score on the Demoralization Scale was 17.8 (SD 14.0). A clinically significant level of demoralization, defined as a score ≥30, was found in 45 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers (16%). Being highly demoralized was associated with a significantly lower quality of life, and higher levels of physical problems, anxiety and cancer worries. No demographic or clinical factors could predict higher levels of demoralization. Conclusions: Our findings established that a clear proportion of oophorectomized BRCA1/2 mutation carriers experience demoralization impacting on their well-being. Further research is needed to explore the natural trajectory of demoralization and the resultant need for support in these women.
KW - Anxiety
KW - BRCA mutation
KW - demoralization
KW - quality of life
KW - risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85014790400&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/0167482X.2017.1296429
DO - 10.1080/0167482X.2017.1296429
M3 - Article
VL - 39
SP - 96
EP - 104
JO - Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology
JF - Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology
SN - 0167-482X
IS - 2
ER -