The mediating effect of intrusive rumination on the relationship between illness uncertainty and fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors
Abstract Background Recently, increased awareness of early diagnosis and treatment options has led to an increase in the number of breast cancer survivors. Psychosocial interventions to increase the quality of life in this group are gaining importance. One of the most common psychological problems i...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Women's Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03580-y |
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| author | Alper Türkel Nur Nihal Türkel Ahmet Kadıoğlu Mutlu Doğan İrem Ekmekçi Ertek |
| author_facet | Alper Türkel Nur Nihal Türkel Ahmet Kadıoğlu Mutlu Doğan İrem Ekmekçi Ertek |
| author_sort | Alper Türkel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Recently, increased awareness of early diagnosis and treatment options has led to an increase in the number of breast cancer survivors. Psychosocial interventions to increase the quality of life in this group are gaining importance. One of the most common psychological problems in breast cancer survivors is fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). It is essential to elucidate the mechanisms of FCR. Aims: This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of intrusive rumination on the relationship between illness uncertainty and FCR in breast cancer survivors. Methods The study was designed to be cross-sectional, and 204 breast cancer survivors were included. Participants were given the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale-Community form (MUIS-C), the severity subscale of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory, and the Event-Related Rumination Inventory-intrusive rumination subscale. Correlation analyses were conducted, and the structural equation method evaluated the mediation effect. Results Most participants (74%) reported some degree of FCR. A significant positive relationship was found between illness uncertainty and FCR (r = 0.325; p ≤ 0.001). The path analysis showed that intrusive rumination partially mediates this relationship. Conclusions This study’s results shed light on the relationship between illness uncertainty, rumination, and FCR. Planning psychoeducation programs during follow-up to reduce illness uncertainty may positively affect FCR. In addition, metacognitive therapies that can functionalize the ruminative thinking style can also effectively intervene in FCR. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-473205c8ce1c427286b0380a18c1acbb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6874 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-473205c8ce1c427286b0380a18c1acbb2025-02-02T12:40:53ZengBMCBMC Women's Health1472-68742025-02-012511810.1186/s12905-025-03580-yThe mediating effect of intrusive rumination on the relationship between illness uncertainty and fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivorsAlper Türkel0Nur Nihal Türkel1Ahmet Kadıoğlu2Mutlu Doğan3İrem Ekmekçi Ertek4Department of Medical Oncology, Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Research and Training HospitalDepartment of Psychiatry, Ankara Penitentiary Campus State HospitalDepartment of Medical Oncology, Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Research and Training HospitalDepartment of Medical Oncology, Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Research and Training HospitalDepartment of Psychiatry, Gazi University Faculty of MedicineAbstract Background Recently, increased awareness of early diagnosis and treatment options has led to an increase in the number of breast cancer survivors. Psychosocial interventions to increase the quality of life in this group are gaining importance. One of the most common psychological problems in breast cancer survivors is fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). It is essential to elucidate the mechanisms of FCR. Aims: This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of intrusive rumination on the relationship between illness uncertainty and FCR in breast cancer survivors. Methods The study was designed to be cross-sectional, and 204 breast cancer survivors were included. Participants were given the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale-Community form (MUIS-C), the severity subscale of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory, and the Event-Related Rumination Inventory-intrusive rumination subscale. Correlation analyses were conducted, and the structural equation method evaluated the mediation effect. Results Most participants (74%) reported some degree of FCR. A significant positive relationship was found between illness uncertainty and FCR (r = 0.325; p ≤ 0.001). The path analysis showed that intrusive rumination partially mediates this relationship. Conclusions This study’s results shed light on the relationship between illness uncertainty, rumination, and FCR. Planning psychoeducation programs during follow-up to reduce illness uncertainty may positively affect FCR. In addition, metacognitive therapies that can functionalize the ruminative thinking style can also effectively intervene in FCR.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03580-yFear of recurrenceIllness uncertaintyIntrusive ruminationAnxietyDepressionBreast cancer |
| spellingShingle | Alper Türkel Nur Nihal Türkel Ahmet Kadıoğlu Mutlu Doğan İrem Ekmekçi Ertek The mediating effect of intrusive rumination on the relationship between illness uncertainty and fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors BMC Women's Health Fear of recurrence Illness uncertainty Intrusive rumination Anxiety Depression Breast cancer |
| title | The mediating effect of intrusive rumination on the relationship between illness uncertainty and fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors |
| title_full | The mediating effect of intrusive rumination on the relationship between illness uncertainty and fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors |
| title_fullStr | The mediating effect of intrusive rumination on the relationship between illness uncertainty and fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors |
| title_full_unstemmed | The mediating effect of intrusive rumination on the relationship between illness uncertainty and fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors |
| title_short | The mediating effect of intrusive rumination on the relationship between illness uncertainty and fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors |
| title_sort | mediating effect of intrusive rumination on the relationship between illness uncertainty and fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors |
| topic | Fear of recurrence Illness uncertainty Intrusive rumination Anxiety Depression Breast cancer |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03580-y |
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