Acute PTSD and Depression Symptoms in African American Women Newly Diagnosed With Breast Cancer Open Access

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to measure PTSD and depression symptoms in N=4

women at three time points: baseline (pre-biopsy), six weeks post-diagnosis (before adjuvant

treatment), and six months post-diagnosis (after adjuvant treatment). An additional ethnographic

interview was conducted with three of the four women approximately two years post-diagnosis

to further assess symptoms and to get a deeper understanding of their emotional circumstances

throughout the process past what can be learned through diagnostic surveys. The PCL-5 and BDI

were used to evaluate PTSD and depression symptoms at all three time points respectively.

Blood, spit, and skin conductance samples were also taken. Prior to their cancer diagnosis, 75%

and 50% of participants fell above the threshold for a PTSD and major depressive diagnosis

respectively, reflecting symptoms related to their prior life stressors and potentially

cancer-related anxieties. At the six week time point, 25% and 100% of participants fell above the

threshold respectively. Finally, at the six month time point, 0% and 50% fell above the threshold

respectively. The results of the ethnographic interviews indicated that over two years

post-diagnosis, two out of three women were still experiencing symptoms of PTSD, and one out

of three women was still experiencing symptoms of depression. Overall, it was found that over

three time points, symptoms of PTSD decreased, while depression symptoms peaked at the six

week time point, and decreased by the six month time point. However, some women who had

experienced extensive PTSD and depressive symptoms in the time following their diagnosis still

had complaints of psychiatric disturbances over two years later. These results indicate that

mental health intervention and treatment at the time of diagnosis and before adjuvant treatment is

critical in the prevention of long term psychological distress.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1. Personal Statement…………………………………………...........…..1

2. Introduction

a. Rationale & Relevance……………………………………...........……3

b. Background & Literature Review………………………..........…….4

c. Study Design & Hypotheses……………………………..........…….11

3. Methods

a. Participants…………………………………………………….............12

b. Quantitative Measures……………………………………….............13

c. Qualitative Measures………………………………………..........…..16

d. Procedures……………………………………………………..............17

e. Quantitative Statistical Analysis……………………………..........18

f. Qualitative Analysis……………………………………………..........18

4. Results

a. Participants……………………………………………………............19

b. Quantitative Data Analysis (Table 1, Figure 1, Figure 2)……...19

c. Qualitative Data Analysis (Tables 1-7)……………………….......24

5. Discussion

a. Interpretation of Results………………………………………........32

b. Strengths………………………………………………………............38

c. Limitations……………………………………………………............38

d. Conclusion……………………………………………………............40

6. Works Cited……………………………………………………………..42

7. Appendix………………………………………………………………...47

About this Honors Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Emory College
Department	Anthropology
Degree	B.S.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Psychology, Cognitive Anthropology, Cultural Black Studies
Keyword	PTSD
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Stevens, Jennifer, Emory University
Committee Members	Hosbey, Justin, Emory University Konner, Melvin, Emory University

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