Examining The Role Of Need For Closure In Psychological Distress Following Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer

Abstract

The present study investigated the relationship between Need for Closure (NFC) and psychological distress after receiving the results of genetic tests for breast cancer. One hundred and eight women recruited from the Cancer Genetics Program at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and Magee-Women's Hospital participated in the study. The women were assessed four times in all, once before receiving their test results (baseline) and three times after at one week, 3 months and 6 months. The results suggested that the testing situation itself does not lead to distress. Distress following genetic test results is related to an individual's attitude towards uncertainty and the coping styles selected to deal with the stressful event.