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Repression and high anxiety are associated with aberrant diurnal cortisol rhythms in women with metastatic breast cancer 40th Annual Meeting of the Society-for-Psychophysiological-Research Giese-Davis, J., Sephton, S. E., Abercrombie, H. C., Duran, R. E., Spiegel, D. AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC. 2004: 645–50

Abstract

Previous research has provided evidence of autonomic, endocrine, and immunological dysregulation in repressers and a possible association with cancer incidence and progression. Recently published data from the authors' laboratory demonstrated that flatter diurnal cortisol slopes were a risk factor for early mortality in women with metastatic breast cancer. In the current analysis of this same sample (N=91), the authors tested differences at baseline between groups scored using the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory on diurnal cortisol slope and mean cortisol levels. When compared with self-assured and nonextreme groups, the represser and high-anxious groups had a significantly flatter diurnal slope. Diurnal slope was similar for repressers and high-anxious groups. Groups did not differ on mean cortisol levels, nor did they differ on intercept (morning) values.

View details for DOI 10.1037/0278-6133.23.6.645

View details for Web of Science ID 000224913800011

View details for PubMedID 15546233