Merts A.V., Eremina D.A., Petrenko O.L., Kuzmina L.A. Relationship between Cognitive Functioning and Emotional State in Women with Breast Cancer
Antonina V. Merts , PhD student (Psychology), Department of Medical Psychology and Psychophysiology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; bld. 6, Makarova Emb., St. Petersburg, Russia, 199034; Head of Residency Educational Programs, Higher School of Medicine, Educational and Research Cluster “Institute of Medicine and Life Sciences”; Assistant, Higher School of Education and Psychology, Educational and Research Cluster “Institute of Education and Humanities”, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kaliningrad, Russia; bld.14, Aleksandra Nevskogo St., Kaliningrad, Russia, 236016, AMerts@kantiana.ru
Daria A. Yeremina , Dr.Sc. (Psychology) Associate Professor, Department of Medical Psychology and Psychophysiology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; bld. 6, Makarova Emb., St. Petersburg, Russia, 199034, daria.a.eremina@gmail.com
Oleg L. Petrenko , PhD (Medicine), Head, Department of Breast Tumors and Oncogynecology, Kaliningrad Region Oncology Center, Kaliningrad, Russia; bld. 9, Pregolskaya St., Rodniki, Kaliningrad, Russia, 238324; petrenko-oleg78@mail.ru
Lidya A. Kuzmina , Master’s Student (Psychology), Higher School of Education and Psychology, Educational and Research Cluster “Institute of Education and Humanities”, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kaliningrad, Russia; bld.14, Aleksandra Nevskogo St., Kaliningrad, Russia, 236016; lakuzmina17@stud.kantiana.ru
Background. Breast cancer is accompanied not only by somatic manifestations but also by changes in cognitive functioning (memory, attention, speech) and the emotional sphere (depression, aggression, hostility). Various cognitive deficits and specific emotional reactions may already be present before the start of systemic therapy, which potentially have a negative impact on the quality of life and on the ability of patients to adapt to the disease. Furthermore, these indicators may worsen during systemic anticancer treatment, reducing treatment adherence and participation in rehabilitation measures.
Objective. This study aimed to examine the relationship between cognitive functioning and the emotional state of women with malignant breast neoplasms before starting systematic treatment.
Study respondents. The study included 24 women with a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer without metastatic disease (mean age 59 ± 12 years) who had not previously received any treatment for cancer.
Methods. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA) was used to identify cognitive deficits. The level of aggression and hostility was measured using the Buss-Durkee Aggression Questionnaire, and the presence of depressive symptoms was detected using the Beck Depression Inventory.
Findings. In women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, an age-dependent decline in cognitive functions is accompanied by a selective increase in hostility, whereas depression remains stable, and only its somatic component correlates with verbal aggression.
Conclusions. The obtained results demonstrate the importance of taking into account the cognitive and emotional characteristics of nervous system functioning in female patients before the beginning of systemic cancer therapy, emphasizing a comprehensive approach and the need for further longitudinal clinical studies to clarify the dynamics of these parameters throughout systemic cancer treatment.
Key words: breast cancer, cognitive impairments, cognitive deficits, aggression, hostility, depression, systemic treatment
For citation: Merts, A.V., Eremina, D.A., Petrenko, O.L., Kuzmina, L.A. (2026). Relationship between Cognitive Functioning and Emotional State in Women with Breast Cancer. New Psychological Research, No. 2, 163–182. DOI: 10.51217/npsyresearch_2026_06_02_09
Keywords: breast cancer cognitive impairments cognitive deficits aggression hostility depression systemic treatment
Received: 21st june 2026
Published: 21st june 2026