Psychological distress associated with waiting for results of diagnostic investigations for breast disease

This paper presents the results of a multi-method research project investig ating thr psychological distress associated with waiting for results of dia gnostic investigations in a delayed-results breast clinic. A cohort of 126 women completed standardized psychometric instruments to assess anxiety, mo od and coping over 3 days. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 2 0 respondents. The findings indicate that waiting sustained but did not exa cerbate psychological distress. Peri-diagnostic anxiety, depression, uncert ainty and confusion were associated with anxiety levels immediately followi ng triple assessment. Women leaving the clinic with low anxiety retained th is composure throughout the peri-diagnostic period. Those in the moderate a nd high anxiety groups recorded sustained anxiety, depression, uncertainty and confusion, with mean scores comparable to and exceeding those reported by psychiatric out-patients. Coping during the waiting period was typically accomplished by emotion-focused strategies. Qualitative data suggested the delayed-results clinic structure may facilitate psychological preparation for test results. (C) 1999 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.