Browsing by Author "Gomes, Ana Neto Branquinho Assis"
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- Effects of a psychological inoculation video on helplessness-hopelessness and implicit optimism levels in breast cancer patientsPublication . Gomes, Ana Neto Branquinho Assis; Gidron, YoriHelplessness-hopelessness (HH) and optimism are psychological variables which have been suggested as influential factors regarding survival rates and prognosis in cancer patients. Psychological inoculation (PI) is a cognitive method that uses the consecutive rejection of challenging sentences as a tool to destroy cognitive barriers. This study aimed to understand whether the exposure to a video simulating a PI session was able to increase implicit optimism levels and lower HH levels in breast cancer patients, when compared to the effects of a video simulating a supportive listening (SL) session. The sample for this study was composed of 83 Portuguese breast cancer patients. At baseline HH levels were assessed using the Portuguese version of the mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale, whereas implicit optimism levels were assessed through word puzzle tasks. Participants were then randomly assigned to be exposed to either a video simulating a PI session or a video simulating a SL session. HH and implicit optimism levels were assessed again after the intervention. Results showed that the PI video had a significant effect in increasing implicit optimism levels in the intervention group, whereas the SL video significantly reduced HH levels in the control group. If replicated with direct interventions and longer follow-ups, this study could be a useful tool in finding an effective intervention to improve psychological conditions and perhaps prognosis in breast cancer patients.