An electronic coping-enhancement programme for bereaved women addressing psychosocial factors in breast-cancer development

of Guest Lecture for MSc Health Psychology Module ‘Current Issues in Health Psychology’ (See Appendix J for Full Lecture) 599 Abstract of Poster Presented at Vitae Public Engagement Competition and at Teesside University Subject Enrichment Conference (See Appendix J for Poster) 600of Poster Presented at Vitae Public Engagement Competition and at Teesside University Subject Enrichment Conference (See Appendix J for Poster) 600 Abstract Accepted for 24 European Health Psychology Conference 601 Abstract of Presentation for Social Futures Institute Seminar (See Appendix J for Full Presentation) 602Accepted for 24 European Health Psychology Conference 601 Abstract of Presentation for Social Futures Institute Seminar (See Appendix J for Full Presentation) 602 Appendix I: Dissemination of Project 599 Abstract of Guest Lecture for MSc Health Psychology Module ‘Current Issues in Health Psychology, Teesside University, November 2009 (See Appendix J for Full Lecture) Psychosocial Factors of Breast Cancer Guest lecture by Judith Eberhardt Research increasingly points to psychosocial factors as being influential in the aetiology and progression of cancer generally, and breast cancer in particular. What role can health psychology play on this important issue? Suggested reading: Greer, S. and Morris, T. (1978). Study of psychological factors in breast cancer – problems of method. Social Science and Medicine, 12, 129-134. Greer, S. , Morris, T. and Pettingale, K.W. (1979). Psychological response to breast cancer: effect on outcome. Lancet, 2, 785-787. Grossarth-Maticek, R. , Eysenck, H.J., Boyle, G.J. Heeb, J., Costa, S.D. and Diel, I.J. (2000). Interaction of psychosocial and physical risk factors in the causation of mammary cancer, and its prevention through psychological methods of treatment. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56, 33-50. Appendix I: Dissemination of Project 600 Abstract of Poster Presented at Vitae Public Engagement Competition in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, April 2010, and at Teesside University Subject Enrichment Conference, June 2010 (See Appendix J for Poster) Improving Women’s Emotional Health through the Internet – a New Approach to Preventing Illness? In my PhD project, I am examining links between emotional and physical health in women. There is scientific evidence to suggest that emotional health and physical health are connected. For example, bereavement (having lost someone close to you) has been linked to the development of breast cancer. Other factors, such as not talking about one's feelings when sad or angry, stressful life events, not dealing well with stress, and not receiving enough support from other people, have also been linked to poor physical health and conditions such as breast cancer. In my project, I am developing an online programme for women in the UK aged 18 or older, who have experienced the death of a loved one (it could be a family member, a friend or a pet) and would like to share their experiences with other women and me, the researcher. All women will take part in the programme through the Internet, on a website designed for this project. It will involve elements designed to improve women’s emotional wellbeing (e.g. art and laughter for wellbeing, expressive writing). The aim of the programme is to enhance women's emotional wellbeing, which will hopefully contribute positively to their physical and overall wellbeing. Appendix I: Dissemination of Project 601 Abstract Accepted for 24 European Health Psychology Conference in Cluj, Romania, September 2010 (author was unable to present) Poster presentation: The effects of an electronic bereavement coping enhancement programme on the psychosocial breast cancer risk profile of bereaved women Objectives: The occurrence of and inadequate coping with stressful life events such as bereavement, certain personality features, and low social support have been associated with breast cancer. However, there is a lack of studies targeting these factors simultaneously as a strategy for breast cancer prevention. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of an electronic bereavement coping enhancement programme on the psychosocial breast cancer risk profile of bereaved women. Methods: two hundred and sixteen participants will complete a psychological screening form. A 3×2 independent measures randomised controlled trial will be carried out. Independent variables are reading (or not reading) health-related autobiographical accounts, and participation in an online psychological group intervention (art-and-laughter for wellbeing, laughter-and-art for wellbeing, or no intervention). Dependent variables are bereavement coping, stressful life events coping, presence of certain personality features, and level of social support. Results: Three feasibility studies were carried out to assess validity, reliability of scales, usability of the psychological screening form and project website, and bereavement coping. Seventy-eight percent of participants had experienced bereavement, of which 33% reported maladaptive coping. Conclusion: There is a clear need for an intervention targeting psychological factors in breast cancer development. Results of the study will be presented. Appendix I: Dissemination of Project 602 Abstract of Presentation for Social Futures Institute Seminar, Teesside University, April 2011 (See Appendix J for Full Presentation) The Development of an Electronic Bereavement-Coping-Enhancement-Programme as Part of Breast-Cancer Prevention Despite the evidence supporting the role of psychosocial factors in the development of cancer, prevention tends to focus exclusively on physical risk factors. The occurrence of stressful life events (in general and bereavement in particular), maladaptive coping with stressful life events, Type C personality features, and low social support have been consistently linked to breast cancer. There is a lack of studies targeting these factors simultaneously as a strategy for breast cancer prevention. Recently, digital media have become an important tool of communication in health care, providing a strong rationale for online interventions. Another previously unexplored way of raising awareness of psychosocial risk factors is the reading of autobiographical accounts of people who have suffered from breast cancer. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of an electronic bereavement coping enhancement programme and reading autobiographical accounts, on bereaved women’s psychological profile. Appendix J: