Effects of Expressive Writing in Breast Cancer Survivors With Lymphedema

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

• To determine if expressive writing improves quality of life (QOL) relative to the control condition in breast cancer survivors with chronic stage II lymphedema.
• To determine if expressive writing improves physical and psychological symptoms/outcomes (i.e., fatigue, psychological distress, activity level, confidence in body) relative to the control condition in breast cancer survivors with chronic lymphedema.

Secondary

• To explore the influence of individual difference variables (dispositional optimism, emotional intelligence, and repressive coping) on outcomes associated with this intervention to include identification of subsets of individuals for whom expressive writing is most effective.
• To explore the influence of intrusive/avoidant thinking as a mediator between the intervention and outcomes of QOL and physical and psychological symptoms.