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Journal of Health Psychology
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A Longitudinal Study of Psychological Distress in Women with Breast Symptoms

Ruth A. Howard

North Warwickshire Community NHS Trust, UK

Peter G. Harvey

Birmingham Oncology Centre, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust, UK

The aim of the study was to measure psychological distress in women with breast symptoms over a period of three months following an outpatient appointment at a rapid access symptomatic breast clinic. Women were recruited (N = 150) at the weekly clinic and psychological distress was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the General Health Questionnaire-12 and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Information on age and diagnosis was collected from medical notes. Measures were repeated at two weeks and at three months. Participants were divided into three diagnostic categories: B 1 (benign diagnosis at clinic); B2 (benign after further investigations); and M (breast cancer). Overall, scores of anxiety and GHQ-12 decreased significantly during the follow- up period. However, participants in the B2 group remained significantly more distressed than the rest of the sample throughout the experimental period. Depression remained within the normal range throughout the follow-up period for all categories. The study suggests a relationship between symptomatic breast disease and psychological distress.

Key Words: psychological distress clinic, • symptomatic breast disease

Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 3, No. 2, 215-226 (1998)
DOI: 10.1177/135910539800300205
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