Somatosensory amplification and fear of cancer recurrence: Moderating effects of emotion regulation difficulties

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is one of the most prevalent and distressing psychological concerns among cancer survivors. This study examined the association between somatosensory amplification (SSA) and FCR and tested whether emotion regulation (ER) difficulties moderate this relationship.

A sample of 116 adult cancer survivors (Mage = 47.24) completed validated self-report measures assessing SSA, ER difficulties, and FCR. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted, controlling for anxiety symptom severity, age, gender, and time since treatment completion.

Neither SSA nor ER difficulties were associated with FCR. Yet, the interaction between SSA and ER difficulties was statistically significant. Specifically, the positive association between SSA and FCR was evident at low and mean levels of ER difficulties, but not at high levels.

Findings suggest that the relationship between heightened bodily sensitivity and FCR may differ according to levels of ER difficulties. Future research should explore longitudinal pathways and relevant intervention-based outcomes.

Screening for SSA and ER difficulties in survivorship care may help identify individuals for whom heightened bodily sensitivity is associated with increased FCR.