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An online stress management workbook for breast cancer

Journal of Behavioral Medicine volume 37, pages 458–468 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Cognitive behavioral stress management groups have been shown to be decrease psychological symptoms and increase adaptive coping in breast cancer patients, but dissemination of this effective intervention has been challenging. The goal of the present project was to develop an online cognitive behavioral stress management intervention for early stage breast cancer survivors and evaluate its effectiveness using a 2 group × 3 time randomized, waitlist-controlled design. Intervention and waitlist control group participants were assessed at three time points: at baseline; at 10 weeks, after which only intervention participants had used the workbook; and at 20 weeks, after which both groups had used the workbook. Results indicate that at 10 weeks intervention participants showed improved self-efficacy for coping with their cancer and for regulating negative mood and lower levels of cancer-related post-traumatic symptoms as compared to the control group, suggesting that an internet stress management intervention could be effective for helping breast cancer patients increase their confidence in their ability to cope with stress.

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Acknowledgments

Our many thanks to all of the people who helped with the development and evaluation of the Coping with Cancer Workbook, including Avon/Love Army of Women; Beth Daranciang, MPH; Linda Eaton, RN, MN, AOCN; Robin Adler, MSW, LICSW; Lynn Dhanak, PhD; Elana Rosenbaum, MS, LICSW; and Jacci Thompson-Dodd, MSW.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Alere Wellbeing, Inc, 999 Third Avenue, Suite 2100, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA

    Kelly M. Carpenter

  2. Talaria, Inc, Seattle, WA, USA

    Susan A. Stoner

  3. Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA

    KrisAnn Schmitz

  4. Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA

    Bonnie A. McGregor

  5. University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle, WA, USA

    Ardith Z. Doorenbos

Authors
  1. Kelly M. Carpenter
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  2. Susan A. Stoner
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  3. KrisAnn Schmitz
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  4. Bonnie A. McGregor
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  5. Ardith Z. Doorenbos
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kelly M. Carpenter.

Additional information

This publication was made possible by grant number R44 CA106154-02 from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the National Institutes of Health. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NCI.

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Carpenter, K.M., Stoner, S.A., Schmitz, K. et al. An online stress management workbook for breast cancer. J Behav Med 37, 458–468 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-012-9481-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-012-9481-6

Keywords

  • Stress management
  • Internet interventions
  • Cognitive behavioral
  • Breast cancer interventions
  • Coping skills
  • Web-based
  • Online