Path Analysis of Effects of First-Generation Status on Physical Activity and 4-Year College Degree Completion.

PURPOSE: First-generation college students (FGCS) face a myriad of sociocultural, financial, and emotional challenges that impact their educational journey. With less academic capital and lower odds of obtaining a bachelor's degree than their non-FGCS peers, understanding the factors affecting their academic success is pivotal for social work professionals aiming to provide tailored interventions and support systems. This study delved into the potential differences between these groups concerning physical activities, which are linked to learning, cognition, and overall well-being, and evaluated their influence on degree completion. METHOD: A path model was developed to analyze the relationship between degree completion, physical activities, FGCS status, and background variables, using a sample of 1,625 participants. RESULTS: The model showed a strong fit (CFI = 0.979, RMSEA = 0.055, SRMR = 0.010) and accounted for 29.5% of the variance in degree completion. Walking to school was positively associated with degree attainment. FGCS status was associated with decreased walking to school, reduced degree completion, and increased walking for exercise. An indirect effect suggested that FGCS were less likely to achieve their degree, potentially due to a greater reliance on transportation like buses or cars. DISCUSSION: The findings emphasize the critical role of campus resources for FGCS. Enhancing access to fitness centers and offering affordable housing options nearer to campus may aid FGCSs' academic success. These insights can guide social work practices, highlighting the importance of environmental factors in the academic experiences of FGCS.

A Relational Workforce Capacity Approach to Trauma-Informed Care Implementation: Staff Rejection Sensitivity as a Potential Barrier to Organizational Attachment.

This study explores the relationship between staff rejection sensitivity (a psychological concept grounded in histories of loss and trauma) and organizational attachment among mental health agencies transitioning to Trauma-Informed Care (TIC), which is currently outside the focus of most research. Specifically, this study examines: (1) whether staff rejection sensitivity predicts organizational attachment; (2) whether staff turnover intentions account for the association between rejection sensitivity and organizational attachment; and (3) whether those associations hold once taking into account staff demographic factors (gender, race and ethnicity, education, and income)? Around 180 frontline workers in three Northeastern U.S. mental health agencies responded to surveys collected between 2016 and 2019 using the organizational attachment, rejection sensitivity and turnover intention measures, and their previous TIC training experience. Rejection sensitivity was significantly associated with organizational attachment (ß = -0.39, p < 0.001), accounting for 6% of its variance in organizational attachment. The relationship between these variables retained significance, and staff education significantly predicted organizational attachment, with higher education predicting lower levels of organizational attachment (ß = -0.15, p < 0.05), accounting for 22% of its variance. This study concludes that TIC transitioning mental health agencies' staff with a higher rejection sensitivity are more likely to express lower organizational attachment and higher intent-to-turnover.

Expanding the Trauma-Informed Care Measurement Toolkit: An Evaluation of the Attitudes Related to Trauma-Informed Care (ARTIC-45) Scale with SUD Workers in PIMH.

Human service organizations (HSO) have increasingly recognized the value of employing trauma-informed care (TIC) in a variety of practice settings. Evidence suggests that effectively adopting TIC has shown client improvements. Organizational barriers to TIC implementation, however, exist. To improve TIC practice, the attitudes related to trauma-informed care (ARTIC) scale was developed to measure staff attitudes and beliefs towards TIC. The ARTIC has been widely adopted by researchers without evaluating its psychometric performance in diverse practice settings. The purpose of this study was to independently validate the ARTIC scale drawn from a sample of staff (n = 373) who provide services to substance-using parents. Psychometric tests were conducted to evaluate how the ARTIC performs with our HSO population. Results from a confirmatory factor analysis showed poor fit (X2 = 2761.62, df = 2.96; RMSEA = 0.07 [0.07, 0.08]; CFI = 0.72). An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to analyze how the data fit with our specific population, yielding 10 factors. Finally, a qualitative inter-item analysis of these factors was conducted, resulting in nine factors. Our findings suggest that measuring TIC attitudes and beliefs may vary according to field of practice and ethno-racially diverse workers. Further refinement of the ARTIC may be necessary for various services domains.

"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf": Realized mindfulness in practice for parenting women in recovery.

BACKGROUND: The opioid crisis is a public health issue, contributing to poor maternal child health outcomes. A Mindfulness Based Parenting (MBP) intervention, part of the "Practicing Safety Mindfulness Project for Mothers in Drug Treatment" (PSMDT) study, was previously tested as an intervention to mitigate stress and improve parenting domains in a sample of parenting women in treatment for substance use disorder. METHODS: Qualitative data from focus groups and Mindfulness Based Parenting group teacher process notes were analyzed to understand how participants applied mindfulness to their daily lives and how mindfulness affected their relationship with their child(ren). RESULTS: Thematic analyses revealed three overarching major themes: 1) Supportive Tools to Assist with Bringing Mindfulness into Daily Living; 2) Application of Embodied Tenets of Mindfulness to Perspective and Behavior and 3) Mindfulness Based Parenting and Recovery. Transference of mindfulness skills to parenting was evident through both focus group and process note data, illustrating how mindfulness behaviors were incorporated into family life. Data also revealed how tools utilized in the MBP intervention affected participant recovery. CONCLUSIONS: MBP intervention shows utility in improving parenting and recovery domains. Data from this study will inform future iterations of this intervention and this contextual analysis can be used to inform other recovery programs looking to utilize mindfulness as an adjunctive treatment.

Implementation Fidelity in the Replication of Tuning in to Teens (TINT) Adapted for Adoptive Parents and Guardians in the US.

Purpose: Clear explication of the conditions necessary to reproduce results is imperative in the development of evidence-based interventions.Methods: This study used a fidelity framework to guide the exploration of implementation fidelity in a study of the Tuning in to Teens (TINT) intervention in New Jersey. TINT is an evidence-based prevention program - previously tested with parents of pre-adolescents to reduce emotionally dismissive parenting - that was adapted for use with adoptive and guardianship families.Results: The review of intervention design adaptation and protocols; intervention training; and monitoring of intervention delivery revealed extensive efforts by an adoption clinician, the purveyor of the program, and an implementation team to support the implementation efforts. Results of the monitoring of intervention receipt indicate that the intervention was implemented with high fidelity.Discussion: Future intervention research should consider assessing the effects of implementation efforts on outcomes to improve replication under real-world conditions. Regardless, this exploration of fidelity has implications for public and private organizations seeking to implement an evidence-based intervention. The framework developed by Gearing and Colleagues and the TIDieR checklist could provide useful guidance when planning for and reporting on implementation fidelity in the furtherance of developing and disseminating evidence-based interventions.

Frontline Staff Characteristics and Capacity for Trauma-Informed Care: Implications for the Child Welfare Workforce.

BACKGROUND: Improved understanding of the lasting ways trauma can impact self-regulatory and relational capacities have increased calls for Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) for child welfare-involved families. Little is known, however, about how the attitudes and characteristics of frontline workers impact the implementation of TIC and job retention. This work fills an important gap in knowledge regarding the relationship between staff relational capacities, the implementation of TIC and staff retention. OBJECTIVE: To understand the relationship between staff characteristics, endorsement of TIC and intent to turnover. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Three child and family serving agencies surveyed 271 staff from a populous Northeastern state. METHODS: Regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between staff characteristics, Attitudes Related to Trauma Informed Care (ARTIC) score, and intent to turnover. RESULTS: Higher levels of staff rejection sensitivity was associated with lower endorsement of Principles of Trauma-Informed Care (p < .05). Lower staff alignment with principles of TIC was associated with higher levels of intention to turnover and leave their organization (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Staff histories of relational loss and trauma may impact both workforce buy-in and readiness to implement TIC. Therefore, identifying staff sensitivity to rejection in the hiring process or after hire, and providing specific supports, such as reflective supervision, may enhance both service delivery and staff experiences' of their work. Additionally, using the ARTIC scale in the hiring process may also reduce staff turnover and burnout. Attending to staff relational characteristics is a critical component of promoting worker resilience.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of adherence to physical activity interventions among three chronic conditions: cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is effective for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease, yet insufficient evidence is available to make comparisons regarding adherence to aerobic physical activity interventions among chronic disease populations, or across different settings. The purpose of this review is to investigate and provide a quantitative summary of adherence rates to the aerobic physical activity guidelines among people with chronic conditions, as physical activity is an effective form of treatment and prevention of chronic disease. METHODS: Randomized controlled (RCTs) trials where aerobic physical activity was the primary intervention were selected from PsychInfo, PubMed, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Clinical Key, and SCOPUS from 2000 to 2018. Studies were included if the program prescription aligned with the 2008 aerobic physical activity guidelines, were at least 12 weeks in length, and included adult participants living with one of three chronic diseases. The data was extracted by hand and the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis) guidelines were used to evaluate risk-of-bias and quality of evidence. Data were pooled using random-effect models. The primary outcome measure was program adherence and the secondary outcome measures were dropout and setting (e.g. home vs. clinic-based). Pooled effect sizes and 95% CiIs (confidence intervals) were calculated using random-effect models. RESULTS: The literature search identified 1616 potentially eligible studies, of which 30 studies (published between 2000 and 2018, including 3,721 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Three clinical populations were targeted: cancer (n = 14), cardiovascular disease (n = 7), and diabetes (n = 9). Although not statistically significant, adherence rates varied across samples (65, 90, and 80%, respectively) whereas dropout rates were relatively low and consistent across samples (5, 4, and 3%). The average adherence rate, regardless of condition, is 77% (95% CI = 0.68, 0.84) of their prescribed physical activity treatment. The pooled adherence rates for clinic-based and home-based programs did not differ (74% [95% CI, 0.65, 0.82] and 80% [95% CI, 0.65, 0.91], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence suggests that people with chronic conditions are capable of sustaining aerobic physical activity for 3+ months, as a form of treatment. Moreover, home-based programs may be just as feasible as supervised, clinic-based physical activity programs.

Application of a RE-AIM Evaluation Framework to Test Integration of a Mindfulness Based Parenting Intervention into a Drug Treatment Program.

Background The RE-AIM framework was applied to the Mindfulness Based Parenting (MBP) intervention to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of this innovative trauma informed model in a drug treatment program. The MBP intervention is aimed at mitigating the stress experienced by women in treatment for substance use disorders, and thereby improving parenting and dyadic attachment between mother and child. Methods This was a single arm pre-test post-test design using repeated measure data collected between 2013 and 2016. The design also includes comprehensive process and impact evaluation data. Participants were 120 parenting women enrolled in an opioid treatment program between 2013 and 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. The MBP intervention included weekly 2-h MBP group sessions over 12 weeks, including three dyadic sessions with their child. The main outcomes of this study include the five facets of RE-AIM: Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance. Results The MBP intervention was associated with improvements in parenting across participants. Data showed implementation and sustainability are contingent upon a strong multidisciplinary team and clinical staff support and "buy-in". Iterative adaptations of interventions used in the general population may be necessary when working with a traumatized population burdened by low literacy levels, trauma history and co-occurring disorders. Conclusions MBP is a feasible and effective intervention for improving parenting and dyadic attachment between women with opioid use disorder and their children, and may be useful for other programs that serve parenting women with substance use disorders.

Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation Immediately After Heart Transplant and Long-Term Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) is a common finding immediately after cardiac transplantation. However, there is a scarcity of data regarding its implication if left untreated on long-term outcomes and the role of early surgical repair. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the Duke University Medical Center transplant database from January 2000 to June 2012 and identified 542 patients who underwent orthotropic heart transplantation. Patients were excluded if they underwent surgical repair for TR during the transplant or if the transplant was part of a multiorgan transplant or redo heart transplantation. TR was assessed intraoperatively after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. Independent variables were grade of TR and changes in TR grade during follow-up. TR grades were classified as insignificant (none or mild) versus significant (moderate or severe). Survival and need for posttransplant valve repair during follow-up were assessed. RESULTS: Significant TR was detected in 114 patients (21%) after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, with no significant difference in preoperative recipient pulmonary vascular resistance. Significant TR was associated with increased maximum postoperative plasma creatinine (median [interquartile range], 2.2 [1.5 to 3.2] mg/dL vs 1.8 [1.4 to 2.6] mg/dL, p = 0.008), prolonged postoperative stay (median [interquartile range], 12 [9 to 21] days vs 10 [8 to 14] days; p < 0.001), and decreased adjusted survival. Significant TR regressed to insignificant in 91% of recipients by 1 year after transplant. Six recipients (1%) who had significant TR after cardiopulmonary bypass underwent delayed tricuspid valve repair for significant TR during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Significant TR is a common finding immediately after transplant and is associated with early morbidity and reduced adjusted survival. Most significant TR resolves by 1 year after transplant. Optimal algorithms for follow-up and treatment of significant TR after heart transplantation need to be defined.

Impact of Mindfulness-Based Parenting on Women in Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder.

OBJECTIVES: Mothers with opioid use disorder are at high risk for maladaptive parenting. The present observational study aimed to measure the impact of a trauma-informed mindfulness-based parenting (MBP) intervention on quality of parenting behaviors of mothers primarily with opioid use disorders as well as examine associations between exposure to adverse childhood experiences and self-reported mindful parenting. METHODS: A pretest posttest design was used with repeated measures. A total of 160 women were recruited from a substance use treatment program into the 12-week-long group-based intervention comprised didactic and experiential mindfulness activities. The Keys to Interactive Parenting Scale (KIPS) measured quality of parenting behavior, the Adverse Childhood Experiences Tool captured history of exposure to childhood trauma, and the Interpersonal Mindfulness in Parenting (IM-P) scale measured the degree of mindful parenting. Analyses were conducted using multilevel modeling. RESULTS: The MBP intervention resulted in clinically significant improvements in KIPS total and all subscale scores and an IM-P total score. Data showed higher baseline Adverse Childhood Experiences and higher program attendance significantly predicted improved overall quality of parenting behaviors at a greater rate over time. Higher IM-P scores were associated with greater rate of improvement in KIPS total and all subscale scores. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings suggest a trauma-informed MBP intervention for parenting women with opioid use disorders is associated with significant clinical improvements in quality of parenting behavior. Results of this model show promise in supporting parenting of mothers receiving treatment for opioid use disorders to enhance bonding and parenting.

Effects of a Home-Based DVD-Delivered Physical Activity Program on Self-Esteem in Older Adults: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Although center-based supervised physical activity interventions have proved to be successful in attenuating health declines in older adults, such methods can be costly and have limited reach. In the present study, we examined the effects of a DVD-delivered exercise intervention on self-esteem and its subdomains and the extent to which these effects were maintained. In addition, we examined whether psychological, demographic, and biological factors acted as determinants of self-esteem. METHODS: Low-active, older adults (n = 307; mean [standard deviation] age =71.0 [5.1] years) were randomly assigned to a 6-month, home-based exercise program consisting of a DVD-delivered exercise intervention focused on increasing flexibility, toning, and balance (FlexToBa) or an attentional control DVD condition focused on healthy aging. Physical self-worth and three subdomains of self-esteem, global self-esteem, and self-efficacy were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. RESULTS: There was a differential effect of time for the two groups for physical self-worth (F interaction(2,530.10) = 4.17, p = .016) and perception of physical condition (F interaction(1,630.77) = 8.31, p = .004). Self-efficacy, sex, body mass index, and age were significant predictors of changes in physical self-worth and perception of physical condition. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that a DVD-delivered exercise intervention is efficacious for improving and maintaining subdomain and domain levels of self-esteem in older adults. In addition, self-efficacy was the strongest predictor of changes in physical self-worth and perceptions of physical condition. This innovative method of delivering an exercise training program via DVD is practical and effective and has the potential for broad reach and dissemination. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.govidentifier:NCT01030419.

Yoga Helps Put the Pieces Back Together: A Qualitative Exploration of a Community-Based Yoga Program for Cancer Survivors.

Objective. A qualitative research methods approach was used to explore the experiences of participants in an ongoing community-based yoga program developed for cancer survivors and their support persons. Methods. 25 participants took part in a series of semistructured focus groups following a seven-week yoga program and at three- and six-month follow-ups. Focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a process of inductive thematic analysis. Results. The group was comprised of 20 cancer survivors, who were diagnosed on average 25.40 (20.85) months earlier, and five support persons. Participants had completed the yoga program an average of 3.35 (3.66) times previously and attended approximately 1.64 (0.70) of three possible focus groups. Four key themes were identified: (1) safety and shared understanding; (2) cancer-specific yoga instruction; (3) benefits of yoga participation; (4) mechanisms of yoga practice. Conclusions. Qualitative research provides unique and in-depth insight into the yoga experience. Specifically, cancer survivors and support persons participating in a community-based yoga program discussed their experiences of change over time and were acutely aware of the beneficial effects of yoga on their physical, psychological, and social well-being. Further, participants were able to articulate the mechanisms they perceived as underpinning the relationship between yoga and improved well-being as they developed their yoga practice.

Physical Activity, Mind Wandering, Affect, and Sleep: An Ecological Momentary Assessment.

BACKGROUND: A considerable portion of daily thought is spent in mind wandering. This behavior has been related to positive (eg, future planning, problem solving) and negative (eg, unhappiness, impaired cognitive performance) outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Based on previous research suggesting future-oriented (ie, prospective) mind wandering may support autobiographical planning and self-regulation, this study examined associations between hourly mind wandering and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and the impact of affect and daily sleep on these relations. METHODS: College-aged adults (N=33) participated in a mobile phone-delivered ecological momentary assessment study for 1 week. Sixteen hourly prompts assessing mind wandering and affect were delivered daily via participants' mobile phones. Perceived sleep quality and duration was assessed during the first prompt each day, and participants wore an ActiGraph accelerometer during waking hours throughout the study week. RESULTS: Study findings suggest present-moment mind wandering was positively associated with future MVPA (P=.03), and this relationship was moderated by affective state (P=.04). Moreover, excessive sleep the previous evening was related to less MVPA across the following day (P=.007). Further, mind wandering was positively related to activity only among those who did not oversleep (P=.007). CONCLUSIONS: Together, these results have implications for multiple health behavior interventions targeting physical activity, affect, and sleep. Researchers may also build on this work by studying these relationships in the context of other important behaviors and psychosocial factors (eg, tobacco use, depression, loneliness).

Moderate Physical Activity Mediates the Association between White Matter Lesion Volume and Memory Recall in Breast Cancer Survivors.

Increased survival rates among breast cancer patients have drawn significant attention to consequences of both the presence of cancer, and the subsequent treatment-related impact on the brain. The incidence of breast cancer and the effects of treatment often result in alterations in the microstructure of white matter and impaired cognitive functioning. However, physical activity is proving to be a successful modifiable lifestyle factor in many studies that could prove beneficial to breast cancer survivors. This study investigates the link between white matter lesion volume, moderate physical activity, and cognition in breast cancer survivors following treatment compared to non-cancer age-matched controls. Results revealed that brain structure significantly predicted cognitive function via mediation of physical activity in breast cancer survivors. Overall, the study provided preliminary evidence suggesting moderate physical activity may help reduce the treatment related risks associated with breast cancer, including changes to WM integrity and cognitive impairment.

Subjective memory impairment and well-being in community-dwelling older adults.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between subjective memory impairment (SMI), future cognitive decline, and negative health status provides an opportunity for interventions to reduce memory complaints in high-risk groups. This study aimed to examine the relationship between SMI and indicators of well-being in older adults enrolled in an exercise trial. Additionally, the study examined whether two different modes of exercise training, aerobic walking and non-aerobic flexibility, toning, and balance, differentially influenced subjective memory across the trial. METHODS: Community-dwelling older adults (n = 179, mean age = 66.4 years) were randomly assigned to a walking or flexibility, toning, and balance group for 12 months. Subjective memory, happiness, perceived stress, and symptom reporting were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. RESULTS: A main effect of subjective memory indicated that individuals with the fewest memory complaints had lower perceived stress (P < 0.001), lower physical symptom reporting (P < 0.001), and higher happiness levels (P < 0.001) across all measurement occasions. Both main and interaction effects of time and group on SMI were not significant, suggesting SMI remained stable across the intervention and was not significantly impacted by participation in exercise training. CONCLUSIONS: SMI was not responsive to exercise interventions, and the relationship between SMI and negative well-being demonstrates a need for interventions to reduce memory complaints in high-risk groups.

Associations Between Physical Fitness Indices and Working Memory in Breast Cancer Survivors and Age-Matched Controls.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the effects of cardiorespiratory fitness, heart rate recovery, and physical activity on working memory in breast cancer survivors and age-matched controls. METHOD: Using a case-control design, 32 women who had received a breast cancer diagnosis and completed primary treatment within the past 36-months (11 radiation only; 21 chemotherapy) and 30 age-matched women with no previous cancer diagnosis completed a n-back continuous performance task commonly used as an assessment of working memory. In addition, cardiorespiratory fitness and heart rate recovery were measured during a submaximal graded exercise test and physical activity was measured using 7-days of accelerometer monitoring. RESULTS: Breast cancer survivors who had received chemotherapy had poorer heart rate recovery (p = .010) and engaged in less physical activity than women who had received radiation only (p = .004) or non-cancer controls (p = .029). Cancer treatment (radiation; chemotherapy) predicted differences in reaction times on the 1-back working memory task (p = .029). However, more rapid heart rate recovery predicted shorter reaction times on the 1-back task in the age-matched control group (p = .002). All participants with greater cardiorespiratory fitness displayed greater accuracy independent of disease status on the 1-back task (p = .017). No significant group differences in reaction times were observed for 2-back target trials between breast cancer survivors and controls. However, greater total physical activity predicted shorter reaction times in breast cancer survivors (radiation, chemotherapy) on the 2-back task (p = .014). In addition, all participants who exhibited more rapid heart rate recovery demonstrated better greater accuracy regardless of disease status (p = .013). CONCLUSION: These findings support differences in physical activty participation, heart rate recovery, and 1- and 2-back working memory reaction times between breast cancer survivors and age-matched controls. Greater cardiorespiratory fitness, heart rate recovery, and physical activity were positively associated with better working memory performance across conditions.

Relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and interference control in breast cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: Nutrition plays an important role in brain structure and function, and the effects of diet may even be greater in those at greater risk of cognitive decline, such as individuals with cancer-related cognitive impairment. However, the relation of dietary components to cognitive function in cancer survivors is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine whether breast cancer survivors (BCS) evidenced impairments in interference control, a component of cognitive control, compared to age-matched women with no prior history of cancer, and to examine the moderating role of diet on cognitive function. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a modified flanker task was used to assess interference control in BCS (n = 31) and age-matched women with no prior history of cancer (n = 30). Diet was assessed with 3-day food records. Differences between BCS and age-matched controls were assessed using linear mixed models, and multilevel regression analyses were conducted to assess the moderating role of diet on cognitive performance. RESULTS: Cognitive performance was not different between groups. Fruit intake and vegetable intake were significantly associated with better performance on the incompatible condition of the flanker task (i.e., shorter reaction time and increased accuracy), independent of disease status. The association between dietary components and cognition was stronger for the incompatible incongruent condition, suggesting that fruit and vegetables may be important for the up-regulation of cognitive control when faced with higher cognitive demands. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in performance on an interference control task between BCS and age-matched controls. The data suggest that greater fruit intake and vegetable intake were positively associated with interference control in both BCS and age-matched controls.

Higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels are associated with greater hippocampal volume in breast cancer survivors.

As breast cancer treatment is associated with declines in brain and cognitive health, it is important to identify strategies to enhance the cognitive vitality of cancer survivors. In particular, the hippocampus is known to play an important role in brain and memory declines following cancer treatment. The hippocampus is also known for its plasticity and positive association with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). The present study explores whether CRF may hold promise for lessening declines in brain and cognitive health of a sample of breast cancer survivors within 3 years of completion of primary cancer treatment. We explored the role of cardiovascular fitness in hippocampal structure in breast cancer survivors and non-cancer female controls, as well as performed a median split to compare differences in hippocampal volume in relatively higher fit and lower fit cancer survivors and non-cancer controls. Indeed, CRF and total hippocampal volume were positively correlated in the cancer survivors. In particular, higher fit breast cancer survivors had comparable hippocampal volumes to non-cancer control participants (Cohen's d = 0.13; p > 0.3), whereas lower fit breast cancer survivors showed significantly smaller hippocampal volumes compared to both lower fit and higher fit control participants (Cohen's d = 0.87, p < 0.05). These results are the first to identify that CRF may protect the brain health of breast cancer survivors within 3 years of treatment. The present study uniquely contributes to the field of cancer and cognition and emphasizes the importance of investigating how individual differences in CRF play a role in brain changes of breast cancer survivors.