Resilience’s impact on quality of life and post-traumatic growth in breast cancer patients during treatment
Songül Duran, Umut Varol, Özlem Tekir, Ahmet Hakan Soytürk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This article aims to examine how psychological resilience influences the interplay between quality of life and post-traumatic growth among breast cancer patients receiving follow-up care and treatment in Türkiye. METHODS: The study involved 119 female individuals diagnosed with breast cancer who visited the Oncology outpatient clinic at a state hospital in Türkiye from January to September 2023. Data were gathered through the administration of a survey form and the utilization of several assessment tools, including the Adult Life Quality Scale in Cancer Survivors (QLACS), the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), and the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Data analysis was carried out using SPSS 25 software. RESULTS: The participants demonstrated an inverse correlation between Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) and two QLACS sub-dimensions, namely recurrence and family concern. Conversely, a positive association was identified between PTG and the advantages of dealing with cancer. Furthermore, a statistically significant positive association was established between BRS and all QLACS sub-dimensions, except for family concern and appearance. However, it was determined that psychological resilience did not act as a moderator in the relationship between PTG and QLACS. CONCLUSION: It is important to enhance psychological resilience in women who have survived cancer at all stages of the cancer journey, including the years after treatment, to have a positive impact on post-traumatic growth and quality of life.