The effects of age and emotional acceptance on distress among breast cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined whether emotional acceptance moderates the relationship between age and distress among breast cancer patients near the end of the first year after diagnosis.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The Emotional acceptance scale and the Profile of Mood States scale were completed by 79 women with Stage II or III breast cancer.

RESULTS

Results showed that younger women reported greater distress than older women. Those who were less accepting of their emotions also reported greater distress than those who were more accepting, regardless of age.

DISCUSSION

These results suggest that emotional acceptance may be beneficial for both younger and older women facing breast cancer. Additional implications of these findings are discussed.