Hypnotizability, posttraumatic stress, and depressive symptoms in metastatic breast cancer

Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2010 Jan;58(1):39-52. doi: 10.1080/00207140903310790.

Abstract

This study assessed whether high hypnotizability is associated with posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms in a sample of 124 metastatic breast cancer patients. Hypnotic Induction Profile Scores were dichotomized into low and high categories; posttraumatic intrusion and avoidance symptoms were measured with the Impact of Events Scale (IES); hyperarousal symptoms with items from the Profile of Mood States; and depressive symptoms with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale. High hypnotizability was significantly related to greater IES total, IES intrusion symptoms, and depressive symptoms. A logistic regression model showed that IES total predicts high hypnotizability after adjusting for depressive symptoms and hyperarousal. The authors relate these results to findings in other clinical populations and discuss implications for the psychosocial treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Depressive Disorder / prevention & control*
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypnosis*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging*
  • Psychology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires