Pattern of Emotional Control and Psychological Reactions to Breast Cancer: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

To investigate the relationship between suppression of negative feelings and psychological reaction to cancer, a series of breast cancer patients were studied preoperatively ( n = 35), a week after mastectomy ( n = 32) and six months later ( n = 12). A general pattern of emotional control, as measured by the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale, showed less correlation with anxiety (Symptom Questionnaire Anxiety scale) before breast lump biopsy and more with depressive symptoms (SQ Depression scale) after mastectomy, especially 6 mo. later. Six months after surgery hostility (SQ Hostility scale), inability to express feelings to others, a tendency to perceive the somatic effects of the illness, and less preoccupation about the disease (Illness Behavior Questionnaire) were also associated with emotional repression. These preliminary results suggest further examination of the tendency to inhibit behavioral discharge of emotions which may be a factor in favoring psychological difficulties after diagnosis of cancer.