Chu Qiao, Wong Celia C Y, He Gan, Yang Jinhuan, Chen Chen, He Yaping
School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.227 South Chongqing Rd, Shanghai, 200025, China.
College of Brockport, State University of New York, Brockport, NY, USA.
Support Care Cancer. 2023 Feb 23;31(3):180. doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-07640-7.
Although the antidepressant effects of physical activity have been well established, the underlying psychological mechanisms are understudied among cancer survivors. The present study aims to examine the parallel mediating effects of posttraumatic growth and body image on the association between walking activity and emotional distress (anxiety and depression) among Chinese breast cancer survivors.
Chinese breast cancer survivors (n = 235) completed a cross-sectional questionnaire that assessed walking activity, anxiety, depression, posttraumatic growth, and body image over the past week. Path analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized mediation model.
The hypothesized model was supported: walking activity was positively associated with posttraumatic growth and body image satisfaction, which were then negatively associated with anxiety and depression. After controlling for the mediators, the direct effect of physical activity on depression was still significant, whereas the direct effect of physical activity on anxiety was no longer significant.
Our findings suggest that posttraumatic growth and body image may be essential psychological pathways underlying the association between walking activity and emotional distress among Chinese breast cancer survivors. Researchers and health practitioners should consider supplementing physical activity interventions with mental health services that facilitate psychological growth and a positive body image to enhance the potential psychological benefits of physical activity.
尽管体育活动的抗抑郁作用已得到充分证实，但癌症幸存者潜在的心理机制仍未得到充分研究。本研究旨在探讨创伤后成长和身体意象在中国乳腺癌幸存者中对步行活动与情绪困扰（焦虑和抑郁）之间关联的平行中介作用。
中国乳腺癌幸存者（n = 235）完成了一份横断面问卷调查，评估了过去一周的步行活动、焦虑、抑郁、创伤后成长和身体意象。进行路径分析以检验假设的中介模型。
假设模型得到支持：步行活动与创伤后成长和身体意象满意度呈正相关，而创伤后成长和身体意象满意度又与焦虑和抑郁呈负相关。在控制中介变量后，体育活动对抑郁的直接效应仍然显著，而体育活动对焦虑的直接效应不再显著。
我们的研究结果表明，创伤后成长和身体意象可能是中国乳腺癌幸存者步行活动与情绪困扰之间关联的重要心理途径。研究人员和健康从业者应考虑在体育活动干预中补充心理健康服务，以促进心理成长和积极的身体意象，从而增强体育活动潜在的心理益处。
