The current study aimed to examine the fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) trajectory and protective predictors in women coping with breast cancer (BC). The study’s model investigated whether a higher coping self-efficacy and positive cognitive–emotion regulation at the time of the BC diagnosis would lead to reduced levels of FCR at six months and in later stages (12 and 18 months) post-diagnosis. The sample included 494 women with stages I to III BC from Finland, Italy, Portugal, and Israel. They completed self-report questionnaires, including the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI-SF), the Cancer Behavior Inventory-Brief Version (CBI-B), the Cognitive–Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ short), and medical–social–demographic data. Findings revealed that a higher coping self-efficacy at diagnosis predicted lower FCR levels after six months but did not impact the FCR trajectory over time. Surprisingly, positive cognitive–emotion regulation did not predict FCR levels or changes over 18 months. FCR levels remained stable from six to 18 months post-diagnosis. This study emphasizes the importance of developing specific cancer coping skills, such as coping self-efficacy. Enhancing coping self-efficacy in the first six months after BC diagnosis may lead to lower FCR levels later, as FCR tends to persist in the following year.

The transition to motherhood is a significant developmental milestone in many women’s lives. This transitional period may be more stressful for women with a history of childhood maltreatment (CM) than for women without such a history. This study tested whether parental self-efficacy (PSE) accounts for the link between CM and parental stress in mothers transitioning to motherhood. The study used a convenience sample of 1,306 first-time mothers of children aged two years or younger. Mothers filled out online self-report questionnaires assessing history of CM, PSE, and prenatal stress. Consistent with the hypotheses, exposure to CM was directly associated with greater parental stress. Also, PSE partially mediated the associations between CM and parental stress, such that mothers with a history of childhood abuse reported a lower level of PSE, which in turn was associated with greater parental stress. In conclusion, the study highlights the important role of negative cognitions related to parenting for maternal dysfunction following exposure to childhood abuse. These findings suggest a need to incorporate preventive interventions designed to promote PSE for mothers exposed to CM. Such programs may alleviate parental stress and further support the healthy development of the child.

Objective: Women dealing with breast cancer (BC) face many challenges, one of which is the fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). This study examined whether disease severity predicts FCR 6 months after cancer diagnosis through psychological distress and whether cognitive-emotion regulation moderates this effect. Method: The study sample included 656 women from Italy (27.5%), Finland (31.9%), Israel (19.8%), and Portugal (20.8%) diagnosed with Stages I-III of BC. Participants' age ranged between 40 and 70 years (M = 54.92, SD = 8.22). Participants were tracked following BC diagnosis and at 3 and 6 months follow-up. Participants filled out self-report questionnaires, including the FCR inventory-short form, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the cognitive-emotion regulation questionnaire along with medical-social-demographic data. Results: Greater disease severity at baseline indicated by higher cancer stage predicted greater psychological distress, which in turn predicted greater psychological distress at 3 months. The latter predicted greater FCR at 6 months. This serial mediation model was moderated by negative cognitive-emotion regulation. The mediating effect of disease severity on FCR through psychological distress was significant only in women with mean or higher levels of negative cognitive-emotion regulation. Conclusion: This study suggests that facilitating psychological well-being and effective cognitive-emotion regulation in the early stages after a cancer diagnosis may protect women from FCR. Public Significance Statement The study reveals a sequential process for the prediction of the fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) 6 months after a breast cancer diagnosis. Whereas psychological distress associated with greater cancer stage may place women at risk for greater FCR, less engagement in negative emotion regulation strategies protects against the adverse effects of the cancer stage on the FCR levels. These findings illuminate the need for early interventions targeting negative emotion regulation and psychological distress to facilitate healthy coping with breast cancer.

The current study aimed to track the trajectory of quality of life (QoL) among subgroups of women with breast cancer in the first 12 months post-diagnosis. We also aimed to assess the number and portion of women classified into each distinct trajectory and the sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors associated with these trajectories. The international sample included 699 participants who were recruited soon after being diagnosed with breast cancer as part of the BOUNCE Project. QoL was assessed at baseline and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, and we used Latent Class Growth Analysis to identify trajectory subgroups. Sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors at baseline were used to predict latent class membership. Four distinct QoL trajectories were identified in the first 12 months after a breast cancer diagnosis: medium and stable (26% of participants); medium and improving (47%); high and improving (18%); and low and stable (9%). Thus, most women experienced improvements in QoL during the first year post-diagnosis. However, approximately one-third of women experienced consistently low-to-medium QoL. Cancer stage was the only variable which was related to the QoL trajectory in the multivariate analysis. Early interventions which specifically target women who are at risk of ongoing low QoL are needed.

The fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is one of the most frequently expressed concerns among breast cancer (BC) survivors. This study explored profiles of FCR and adaptation indicators, centring on body image and ‘bouncing back’, 18 months post‐diagnosis. It also examined psycho‐social predictors for profiles. The study sample comprised 494 women from Finland, Italy, Portugal, and Israel, diagnosed with Stage I–III BC. Participants' ages ranged from 40 to 70 years ( M = 54.92, SD = 8.22) and were assessed at diagnosis and after 3 and 18 months. Participants completed self‐report questionnaires, including Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory‐Short Form, Body Image Subscale‐ from the quality‐of‐life questionnaire‐ BC module, Bounce Back single self‐report item, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, modified Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey along with medical–social–demographic data. Three profiles of FCR and adaptation indicators were identified: (1) the Adaptive Profile (67% of the sample), indicated relatively low levels of FCR and higher levels of body image and bounce back; (2) the Distressed Profile (19%), marked by higher FCR compared to the other profiles, moderate body image and bouncing back; and (3) the Body Image Impairment Profile (14%), with participants reporting the lowest body image levels relative to the other two profiles. Depression levels 3 months post‐diagnosis predicted more challenged coping FCR profiles. This study identifies distinct patterns of FCR and adaptation during the initial phase of BC survivorship. While most women adjust well, a considerable portion continue to face challenges. Among women experiencing elevated depressive symptoms early in the disease, these difficulties may be further compounded, highlighting the importance of early screening and timely preventive intervention.

The present study aimed to identify profiles of women diagnosed with breast cancer 18 months postdiagnosis based on a combination of risk and protective factors. Additionally, the study aimed to examine various potential early predictors at 3 and 6 months postdiagnosis to determine their association with the identified profiles at 18 months postdiagnosis. The sample of the study consisted of 499 women with breast cancer from four oncology centers located in Finland, Portugal, Italy, and Israel. Women completed self-report questionnaires at three time points postdiagnosis: 3, 6, and 18 months. The measures utilized included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, the Distress Thermometer, a single item assessing self-efficacy, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, a single item of bounce-back ability, and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Four profiles were identified: Resilience, High distress, Moderate distress, and Bouncing back coupled with distress. The primary predictors across all profiles were anxiety and depression, followed by posttraumatic growth, posttraumatic stress, self-efficacy, and bounce-back ability. This study highlighted that the challenges associated with breast cancer begin at the time of diagnosis and persist beyond the completion of treatment. Early provision of psychosocial support may facilitate improved positive adjustment 18 months postdiagnosis. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).