Repression of Aggression and Psychosomatic Functioning in Women with Breast Cancer: An Integrative Psychosomatic Approach

Abstract

Breast cancer is a life-threatening condition that involves profound psychological adjustment processes. From an integrative psychosomatic perspective, this study explores the relationship between aggression repression, psychosomatic functioning, and mentalization capacities in women diagnosed with breast cancer. The aim was to examine how these psychological processes influence patients' experience of the disease and their psychological adjustment.

This qualitative multiple-case study involved three women aged 40, 43, and 47 years receiving psychological support in a public hospital in Bouira Province, Algeria. Data were collected through semi-structured clinical interviews and analyzed using a clinical approach based on Pierre Marty's psychosomatic framework.

The findings revealed a common pattern of inhibited aggressive affects, relational overadaptation, and marked emotional control, although the participants differed in their mentalization capacities and modes of psychosomatic functioning. Somatic manifestations appeared to be closely associated with difficulties in emotional processing and symbolization, without suggesting any causal relationship between psychological factors and the onset of breast cancer. Psychological support progressively enhanced emotional expression, strengthened mentalization capacities, and improved psychological adjustment to the disease.

These findings highlight the clinical relevance of an integrative psychosomatic approach in psycho-oncology and emphasize the importance of addressing psychological functioning as part of comprehensive supportive care for women with breast cancer.