J Korean Acad Nurs.  2012 Feb;42(1):105-115. 10.4040/jkan.2012.42.1.105.

A Structural Model for Psychosocial Adjustment in Patients with Early Breast Cancer

• Kim HY
• So HS

• KMID: 1245163
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2012.42.1.105

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was done to propose a structural model to explain and predict psychosocial adjustment in patients with early breast cancer and to test the model. The model was based on the Stress-Coping Model of Lazarus and Folkman (1984).
METHODS
Data were collected from February 18 to March 18, 2009. For data analysis, 198 data sets were analyzed using SPSS/WIN12 and AMOS 7.0 version.
RESULTS
Social support, uncertainty, symptom experience, and coping had statistically significant direct, indirect and total effects on psychosocial adjustment, and optimism had significant indirect and total effects on psychosocial adjustment. These variables explained 57% of total variance of the psychosocial adjustment in patients with early breast cancer.
CONCLUSION
The results of the study indicate a need to enhance psychosocial adjustment of patients with early breast cancer by providing detailed structured information and various symptom alleviation programs to reduce perceived stresses such as uncertainty and symptom experience. They also suggest the need to establish support systems through participation of medical personnel and families in such programs, and to apply interventions strengthening coping methods to give the patients positive and optimistic beliefs.

Keyword

Breast cancer; Adjustment; Structural model; Social support; Uncertainty

MeSH Terms

*Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy/*psychology/surgery
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
*Models, Theoretical
Neoplasm Staging
Questionnaires
Social Support
Uncertainty

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Path diagram for hypothetical model. x1=Symptom experience; x2=Ambiguity; x3=Complexity; x4=Unpredictability; y1=Family support; y2=Medical staff support; y3=Optimism; y4=Problem focused coping; y5=Emotional focused coping; y6=Psychosocial adjustment.

• 

  Figure 2 Path diagram for the final model. x1=Symptom experience; x2=Ambiguity; x3=Complexity; x4=Unpredictability; y1=Family support; y2=Medical staff support; y3=Optimism; y4=Problem focused coping; y5=Emotional focused coping; y6=Psychosocial adjustment.

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