Couples-Based Mindfulness for Young Breast Cancer Survivors

Participants will be young breast cancer survivors (YBCS) and their partners. Young breast cancer survivors are those diagnosed at age 45 or younger. This study includes stress reducing interventions known to have a positive influence on physical and psychological functioning that will be administered through recorded videos. The interventions include watching an hour-long video stress-reduction class, each week, for 8 weeks and practicing guided meditations. YBCS participants will be randomly assigned to either an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction course designed for couples (C-MBSR) or an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction course for individuals. At the end of the study all participants (regardless of what assignment) will receive both sets of stress-reducing videos. Partners of the YBCS assigned to the couples condition will also be asked to watch the 8 C-MBSR videos. Some young breast cancer survivor participants and their partners will be asked to complete provide salivary cortisol and all survivors and partners will be asked to complete the 4 surveys.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18 years to 45 years old when diagnosed with breast cancer
• Diagnosed with stage 0, I, II, III breast cancer
• within 1 to 6 years after diagnosis of breast cancer
• Married or unmarried and living together.
• Living anywhere in the United States
• Both members of the couple must understand, read, and speak English
• Both members of the couple must have regular access to email and willingness to use the Internet.

Exclusion criteria

• Neither members of the couple may be experienced meditators (20 minutes daily, 5 days a week or more, for over a year) or graduates of a former MBSR class.