Risk and resilience factors for psychosocial outcomes following breast reconstruction following breast cancer

There are mixed psychosocial outcomes following breast reconstruction; there are variations in self-reported mood, fear of recurrence, satisfaction with the reconstruction and body image concerns. However, little is know about the mechanisms leading to positive or negative psychosocial outcomes or who is at risk for negative psychosocial outcomes. The study will examine known factors for psychosocial function in mid-to-older adults to determine the impact of these on anxiety, depression and decisional regret. The student will examine the role played by social networks, stress, type of surgery, decision making role, expectations, quality of life, and demographic factors (e.g. age, education attainment, BMI and ethnicity).

Aim: The overarching aim is to identify risk and resilience factors that influence decline or sustained function on measures of anxiety, depression and decisional regret among breast cancer survivors undergoing breast reconstruction.