Adrian N S Badana1, Victoria R Marino2, Maureen E Templeman2, Susan C McMillan3, Cindy S Tofthagen4, Brent J Small2, William E Haley2. 1. School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., MHC 1300, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA. abadana@mail.usf.edu. 2. School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., MHC 1300, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA. 3. College of Nursing, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC Box 22, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA. 4. Department of Nursing, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To examine the roles of both patient symptoms, and subjective appraisals of stress (self-efficacy, symptom barriers, symptom distress), in understanding well-being (anxiety, depression, cancer-specific quality of life, mental health quality of life, and physical health quality of life) in breast cancer patients. METHODS: We examined data from 104 female breast cancer patients. Using a stress process model, we hypothesized that while high levels of patient symptoms would be associated with poorer patient well-being, these effects would be mediated by subjective appraisals, including patient self-efficacy, perceived symptom barriers, and symptom distress. RESULTS: As expected, higher levels of patient symptoms were associated with poorer well-being on all five indicators. Subjective appraisals of stress added significantly to predictors of well-being, and were mediators of this relationship across all five outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: While patient symptoms are important predictors of patient well-being, subjective appraisals of the stressfulness of symptoms, and of patients' self-efficacy in managing symptoms, are also key factors. The findings suggest the utility of a stress process model in understanding well-being in breast cancer patients, and point to the potential value of targeting patient appraisals as well as symptoms to improve psychological well-being and quality of life.
PURPOSE: To examine the roles of both patient symptoms, and subjective appraisals of stress (self-efficacy, symptom barriers, symptom distress), in understanding well-being (anxiety, depression, cancer-specific quality of life, mental health quality of life, and physical health quality of life) in breast cancerpatients. METHODS: We examined data from 104 female breast cancerpatients. Using a stress process model, we hypothesized that while high levels of patient symptoms would be associated with poorer patient well-being, these effects would be mediated by subjective appraisals, including patient self-efficacy, perceived symptom barriers, and symptom distress. RESULTS: As expected, higher levels of patient symptoms were associated with poorer well-being on all five indicators. Subjective appraisals of stress added significantly to predictors of well-being, and were mediators of this relationship across all five outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: While patient symptoms are important predictors of patient well-being, subjective appraisals of the stressfulness of symptoms, and of patients' self-efficacy in managing symptoms, are also key factors. The findings suggest the utility of a stress process model in understanding well-being in breast cancerpatients, and point to the potential value of targeting patient appraisals as well as symptoms to improve psychological well-being and quality of life.
Entities:
Keywords:
Breast cancer; Cancer symptoms; Oncology; Psychological distress; Stress appraisal; Well-being
Authors: Elena Torralba-Martínez; María Jesús Quintana; Magda Ciendones Carbonell; Elena de Las Sias; Cristian Pablo Segura Carrillo; Núria Codern-Bové Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2021-07-11 Impact factor: 3.603