Attentional Bias Toward Reproduction-Related Stimuli and Fertility Concerns Among Breast Cancer Survivors

The current study examined whether an attentional bias exists for reproduction-related visual cues among breast cancer survivors and its relationship with fertility concerns and emotional distress. Breast cancer survivors (n = 38) aged 18-40 were compared to 37 healthy women recruited from the gener...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behavioral medicine (Washington, D.C.) D.C.), 2022-10, Vol.48 (4), p.273-283
Main Authors: Bártolo, Ana, Santos, Isabel M., Guimarães, Raquel, Reis, Salomé, Monteiro, Sara
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attentional bias
Bias
Breast cancer
Cancer
Clinical research
Cognition
Cognitive bias
Concerns
Cues
Disclosure
dot-probe
Emotional distress
Females
Fertility
Health behavior
Infertility
Motherhood
Oncology
Problem solving
Psychological distress
Reaction time
Self regulation
Stimuli
Survivor
Vigilance
Young women
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Summary:The current study examined whether an attentional bias exists for reproduction-related visual cues among breast cancer survivors and its relationship with fertility concerns and emotional distress. Breast cancer survivors (n = 38) aged 18-40 were compared to 37 healthy women recruited from the general population. Attentional bias was investigated using a visual dot-probe task and response times (RT) were measured. Participants also completed several questionnaires, including the Reproductive Concerns After Cancer Scale (RCACS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Biased cognitive processing toward reproduction-related stimuli was observed for all young women. However, attentional bias was a significant predictor of concerns about partner disclosure of fertility status, with higher bias scores associated with higher levels of concern only for breast cancer survivors. The desire to have a (or another) biological child was also a significant predictor of higher concerns related with fertility potential for all young women. Higher vigilance regarding reproduction-related cues seems to lead to higher concerns among women with breast cancer history whose fertility is threatened. This result may have important research and clinical implications. Interventions focused on goal-oriented attention self-regulation and problem-solving can help to manage fertility concerns and distress in the course of the disease.
ISSN:0896-4289
1940-4026
DOI:10.1080/08964289.2021.1879725