Psychological Functioning of Daughters of Breast Cancer Patients

Daughters whose mothers had breast cancer were cross-sectionally studied and the Global Symptom Index was predicted by the daughter's perceived degree of involvement with her mother, current emotional resolution, and sexual satisfaction.

Abstract

Sixty daughters whose mothers had breast cancer were cross-sectionally studied. Daughters age 11-20 reported feeling significantly more uncomfortable about involvement in their mothers' illness than daughters age 20+. Daughters whose mothers died were more likely to report long-term life plan changes and role changes with their mothers during the mothers' illness. The Global Symptom Index was predicted by the daughter's perceived degree of involvement with her mother (during her mother's illness), current emotional resolution (about her mother's illness), and sexual satisfaction. Sexual satisfaction was predicted by role changes during the mother's illness, frequency of sexual relations, and a depression scale.