Browsing by Author "Soriano, Emily C."
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Item Fear of cancer recurrence, checking behavior, and triggering events in the daily lives of breast cancer survivors(University of Delaware, 2017) Soriano, Emily C.Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a top ongoing concern of breast cancer (BC) survivors and thus the focus of recent intervention development. According to prominent theory, certain events trigger FCR, which, in turn, leads to specific behavioral responses, including checking the body for signs or symptoms of cancer (Lee-Jones, Humphris, Dixon, & Hatcher, 1997). Links between triggering events, FCR, and checking behavior have not yet been studied in the context of daily life. The goal of this study was to examine whether FCR has a within-person link with daily checking behavior and whether FCR mediates the link between triggering events and checking behavior. Seventy-two early-stage BC survivors completed daily diaries over a 21-day period approximately five months after BC surgery. FCR, checking behavior, and triggering events were assessed each evening. Multilevel modeling results indicated that FCR predicted greater odds of same-day, but not next-day, checking behavior. Checking behavior had a positive but non-significant effect on next-day FCR. We found that daily FCR significantly mediated the same-day effect of triggering events on checking behavior. These average within-person effects varied substantially between patients and were not explained by negative affect. The results support the within-person sequence of triggering events, FCR, and checking behavior posited by guiding theory, and can inform FCR intervention development.Item Partner involvement in daily type 2 diabetes care: links between social control and continuously measured glucose(University of Delaware, 2021) Soriano, Emily C.This dissertation consists of three papers (one peer-reviewed publication, one under peer review, and one in preparation) that collectively represent important empirical and methodological contributions to the literature. A critical barrier to improving diabetes treatment by involving partners is that we currently lack an understanding of precisely how and under what conditions partners facilitate or impede diabetes management. Knowledge of when partner involvement (including what type) should be encouraged or avoided is essential to address weaknesses in prior approaches and develop more potent, targeted, and long-lasting interventions. To begin addressing these gaps, this dissertation is the first study to examine moderators of the effects of social control on continuously measured glucose in people with type 2 diabetes (PWD). Following a General Introduction (Chapter 1), two empirical papers (Chapters 2 and 3) tests moderation effects at both the between- and within-person level. A methodological paper (Chapter 4) provides a comprehensive guide on the implementation of many of the methods key to these empirical papers. Finally, a general discussion and synthesis is provided in Chapter 5.Item Psychosocial Impact of Cancer Care Disruptions in Women With Breast Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic(Frontiers in Psychology, 2021-06-14) Soriano, Emily C.; Perndorfer, Christine; Otto, Amy K.; Fenech, Alyssa L.; Siegel, Scott D.; Dickson-Witmer, Diana; Clements, Lydia; Laurenceau, Jean-PhilippeBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions in cancer care, and preliminary research suggests that these disruptions are associated with increased levels of psychosocial distress among cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to offer a descriptive report of the psychosocial functioning, perceived risk and fear of cancer progression, and COVID-19 pandemic impact and experiences in a unique, high-risk patient cohort: breast cancer survivors whose cancer treatment was delayed and/or changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 50 women with dual carcinoma in situ, lobular carcinoma in situ, or invasive breast cancer whose cancer surgery was postponed due to the pandemic. As they awaited delayed surgery or shortly after they received delayed surgery, participants completed questionnaires on psychosocial functioning (depression, anxiety, sleep, and quality of life), their perceived risk and fear of cancer progression, patient-provider communication about disruptions in their care, personal impact of the pandemic, worry/threat about COVID-19, and COVID-19 symptoms/diagnoses. Descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations were computed among continuous study variables. Independent samples t-tests explored group differences in psychosocial functioning between survivors who were still awaiting delayed surgery and those who had recently received it. Results: Overall, the sample denied that the pandemic seriously negatively impacted their finances or resource access and reported low-to-moderate levels of psychosocial distress and fear about COVID-19. Twenty-six percent had clinically significant levels of fear of cancer progression, with levels comparable to other recent work. About a third were still awaiting delayed cancer surgery and this group reported lower satisfaction with communication from oncology providers but overall did not seem to report more psychosocial difficulties than those who already had surgery. Conclusion: Shortly before or after primary breast cancer surgery that was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this sample of survivors appears to be generally managing well psychosocially. However, many psychosocial difficulties (e.g., fear of cancer recurrence/progression) typically have an onset after the completion of treatment, therefore, research should continue to follow this cohort of cancer survivors as the pandemic’s direct impact on their care likely increases their risk for these difficulties later in survivorship.