Smith, Clair
(2017)
Using mixed effects models to compare differences in stress reactivity between women with and without a family history of breast cancer.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women and affects hundreds of thousands of women and their families yearly in the United States. Having a family history of breast cancer is one of the strongest predictors of developing the disease. Previous studies have found evidence that women with a family history of breast cancer have excessive worry and intrusive thoughts about developing the disease and may react differently to stress than women who do not have a family history of breast cancer. This study uses the novel approach of measuring the activity of the autonomic nervous system to compare stress reactivity between women with and without a family history of breast cancer.
Eighty-two women with a family history of breast cancer and 140 women without a family history of breast cancer who were otherwise healthy underwent a laboratory stress test. During the test, their heart rate variability was measured as a proxy for the activity of the autonomic nervous system. Repeated measures of heart rate variability were taken at baseline, the three tasks of the stress test, and during a recovery period. The reactivity of the two groups throughout the test were compared using a mixed effects ANCOVA model. One of nine heart rate variability measures showed significant group differences. During the stress test, women with a family history of breast cancer had significantly higher levels of parasympathetic activity than women without a family history of breast cancer.
Public Health Significance: The results of this study can be used to further our understanding of the effects of having a family history of breast cancer.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
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| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
29 June 2017 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
25 January 2017 |
| Approval Date: |
29 June 2017 |
| Submission Date: |
8 March 2017 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
58 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Biostatistics |
| Degree: |
MS - Master of Science |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Heart Rate Variability |
| Date Deposited: |
29 Jun 2017 23:33 |
| Last Modified: |
29 Jun 2017 23:33 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/30946 |
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