Keywords

Social Cognition, Breast Cancer, Depression, Anhedonia, Social Pleasure, Social Support

Abstract

Breast cancer is associated with significant disruption in social support, social cognition, and depression. This study seeks to explore social and emotional factors using the integrative model for social reward processing. To better understand these relationships, 103 women with breast cancer (e.g., stage I – IV; mean age = 58.74, SD = 11.48; range 25 - 82) completed the Anticipatory and Consummatory Interpersonal Pleasure Scale, Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System - Depression Scale, Medical Outcomes Study- Social Support Survey, and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test. Path analysis, controlling for current breast cancer stage and history of a depressive disorder, was used to examine relationships between social pleasure, social support, social cognition, and depression severity. A significant moderated mediation was found with reduced social pleasure related to increased depression severity through (i.e., mediated by) reduced social support. Further, analyses revealed the relationship between reduced social pleasure and reduced social support was moderated by reduced social cognition. Findings suggest unique relationships between reduced social pleasure and social support as they relate to depression severity. Further, reduced social cognition may serve as a risk factor for increased depression severity though its influence on social pleasure and social support. Additionally, findings suggest high social cognition may serve as a protective factor in the relationships between depression severity through its influence on social pleasure and social support. The current study suggests the need for future research focused on integrating strategies for improving social cognition into the treatment of depression in individuals with breast cancer. Future research is needed to explore other domains as potential mechanisms of social reward processing such as social skills, effort, and motivation.

Completion Date

2024

Semester

Summer

Committee Chair

Bedwell, Jeffrey

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree Program

Clinical Psychology

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

DP0028624

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0028624

Language

English

Rights

In copyright

Release Date

August 2024

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Accessibility Status

Meets minimum standards for ETDs/HUTs

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