Negative Affect and Barriers to Exercise Among Early Stage Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Objective: To assess the relative frequency of and barriers to exercise among women with breast cancer while controlling for cancer-relevant and demographic factors. Design: The present study employed concurrent samples, correlational research design. Main Outcome Measures: Exercise frequency and its association with negative affect and barriers to exercise, independent of cancer treatment, among women (N =176) with Stage I or II breast cancer who were 3, 6, and 12 months postsurgery. Results: After accounting for cancer-relevant and control variables, degree of negative affect and frequency of perceived barriers were significantly inversely associated with exercise. Conclusion: These findings suggest that attention to both emotional factors and psychosocial barriers to exercise may be warranted to further understand exercise among women with early stage breast cancer. © 2008 American Psychological Association.