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Purpose

Mastectomy is a major surgery that can have a profound effect on women's psychosocial wellbeing, including elevated depression and body image distress. Reconstructive breast surgery aims to improve patients' psychosocial adjustment to mastectomy, yet for some women substantial distress persists after reconstruction. However, very little is known about risk or protective factors for persistent depression or body image distress following mastectomy with reconstruction. The present study aims to address this critical gap. In women undergoing mastectomy with breast reconstruction, the investigators will assess risk and protective factors for post-surgery depression severity and body image distress.

Conditions

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
Female
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  1. Female adults (age 18+) who are scheduled for mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Program 2. English language proficiency 3. Ability to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

  1. Current psychotic disorder, manic episode, serious neurological disorder, intellectual disability, or developmental disorder 2. Current active suicidal ideation 3. Current treatment plan includes radiation and/or ongoing chemotherapy 4. Does not have access to Internet at home, required to complete study questionnaires

Study Design

Phase
Study Type
Observational
Observational Model
Cohort
Time Perspective
Prospective

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Breast reconstruction patients Self-reported psychosocial variables and a clinical interview assessing mental health history will be administered prior to participants' scheduled mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery (which is part of their routine medical care for cancer treatment or prevention). Follow up self-report measures will be collected after the surgery as well.
  • Other: Psychosocial variables
    The investigators will assess mental health history and self-reported psychosocial variables as hypothesized risk and protective factors for body image and depression severity in breast reconstruction patients, before and after their mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery. Mastectomy and breast reconstruction will be received in the context of routine medical care. Thus, this is not a psychological intervention, but rather observational measures assessed pre- and post routine care for breast reconstruction patients.

More Details

Status
Completed
Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital

Study Contact

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.