The Interplay Between Trait Resilience and Coping Self-efficacy in Patients with Breast Cancer: An International Study

A Mixed-Methods Study Exploring Coping Self-Insights Associated with Resilience

Self-insight has been associated with psychological resilience; however, less is understood about the role coping-specific self-insights play in strengthening resilience. This study used a convergent mixed-methods approach to investigate the coping self-insights triggered by self-reflection on coping experiences and their effects on perceived resilience. Australian ministry workers (n = 79) provided up to five qualitative self-reflective workbook entries, and quantitative online self-report survey responses before and six months after training. Hierarchical regression analyses of weighted quantized coping-specific self-insights on perceived resilience were conducted. Results suggest two pathways for the strengthening of resilience. A set of three self-insights related to greater perceived resilience appear to reinforce and sustain resilient beliefs across six months to increase perceived resilience. Another set of four self-insights is related to lesser perceived resilience after six months. It is suggested that the first set of self-insights may enhance beliefs that support resilience in the mid-term, whereas the second set may promote self-awareness that reduces perceived resilience in the mid-term. These findings support further exploration of coping self-insights, and the use and on-going testing of self-reflection resilience training.

The Impact of Newly Diagnosed Early Breast Cancer on Psychological Resilience, Distress Levels, and the Perception of Health

Confronting a breast cancer diagnosis, along with complex and challenging treatment procedures, is an extremely stressful experience. Psychological resilience is the ability to maintain or restore normal functioning while facing adversity. We aimed to explore the impact of an early breast cancer diagnosis on psychological resilience, distress, and perception of health. A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 50 patients newly diagnosed with early breast cancer and 67 healthy women with screening mammograms graded 1 or 2 using a Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. The levels of distress, perception of health, and psychological resilience were assessed using the depression, anxiety, and stress scale, the SF 36-Item Health Survey 1.0, and the Connor-Davidson RISC-25 scale. Differences between variables were examined using the t-test and chi-square test for interval and categorial variables. The surveys were conducted within four weeks of a breast cancer diagnosis. Patients with breast cancer reported a deterioration of their health relative to the previous year and significantly higher levels of psychological resilience, while there was no significant difference between the groups in levels of stress, anxiety, or depression. The process of diagnosis with early breast cancer may activate psychological dynamic processes which are involved in the effective adaptation to acute stress, leading to higher resilience levels in breast cancer patients compared to healthy controls.

The mediating effect of self-efficacy on family functioning and psychological resilience in prostate cancer patients

Aims

Prostate cancer patients face impaired body image and psychological distress during the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, which leads to changes in mood, cognition and behavior. Psychological resilience has been shown to buffer shocks and stresses from the disease. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship between family functioning and psychological resilience in prostate cancer patients and the mediating role of self-efficacy between family functioning and psychological resilience to provide a relevant theoretical basis for improving patients' psychological status by providing relevant theoretical basis.

Method

Using a cross-sectional design, participants were 215 patients with prostate cancer admitted to and treated in a tertiary hospital in Jiangsu province, China. Questionnaires were administered using the general information questionnaire, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the Family Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolution Index (APGAR), and the General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES). Data were analyzed using descriptive and correlational analyses and the bootstrap mediation test was used to test the effect relationship between the variables.

Results

Family functioning, self-efficacy and psychological resilience were significantly and positively correlated (r = 0.526, P < 0.01; r = 0.378, P < 0.01; r = 0.358, P < 0.01). The mediating effect of psychological resilience between family functioning and psychological resilience was significant, accounting for 42.56%.

Conclusion

Family function and self-efficacy have been shown to increase the level of psychological resilience in prostate cancer patients. Attention should be paid to the mental health problems of prostate cancer patients, early screening and intervention, and the use of patients' family resources to improve their confidence in recovering from the disease, thus increasing their psychological resilience and improving their mental health.

Self-efficacy as mediators of the association between dyadic coping and quality of life among spousal caregiver of patients with cervical cancer

Objective

This study aims to explore the influence of dyadic coping (DC) on the quality of life (QoL) of spousal caregivers for patients with cervical cancer and to investigate the mediating role of self-efficacy in this relationship.

Methods

A convenience sample of 206 spouses of cervical cancer patients from five hospitals in Jiangsu Province, China, was included in the study. The participants completed three instruments: the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Dyadic Coping Inventory. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the mediating effect of self-efficacy in the DC and QoL relationship.

Results

The study found a positive correlation between self-efficacy and DC. Self-efficacy partially mediated the impact of DC on QoL, accounting for 16% of the total effect. Self-efficacy played a mediating role in facilitating the indirect positive effects of DC on QoL.

Conclusions

Spousal caregivers of cervical cancer patients frequently experience a relatively low QoL. The results suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing DC among spousal caregivers should incorporate strategies to improve self-efficacy, given its mediating role in the positive relationship between DC and QoL.

The relationship between physical activity, self-efficacy and quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors: a multicenter cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the current situation and factors influencing physical activity, self-efficacy, and quality of life in Chinese colorectal cancer survivors. Additionally, this study explored the associations between physical activity, self-efficacy, and quality of life.

METHODS

A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 173 colorectal cancer survivors with a mean age of 59 years. Self-reported data on basic demographic characteristics, physical activity, self-efficacy, and quality of life were collected.

RESULTS

Among 173 colorectal cancer survivors, 90 (52.0%) were engaged in manual work. The self-efficacy score was found to be 25.99 ± 7.10, while the global health status score was 54.96 ± 21.56. Global health status was associated with sex, residence, chemoradiotherapy, and monthly income (p < 0.01). The self-efficacy score exhibited a significant positive correlation with quality of life, while demonstrating a negative correlation with symptom scores (p < 0.01). Recreational PA scores were positively associated with global health status (P < 0.05). Self-efficacy, recreational physical activity during winter, and whether the participants underwent chemoradiotherapy explained 29.3% of the variance in quality of life among colorectal cancer survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

Colorectal cancer survivors exhibited low levels of physical activity, self-efficacy, and quality of life. Their health is influenced by self-efficacy, recreational physical activity, and chemoradiotherapy. When developing intervention plans for colorectal cancer survivorship, it is crucial to consider survivors' self-efficacy and the type of physical activity in which they engage.

A latent class analysis of resilience and its association with patient-reported symptoms in patients with esophageal cancer after esophagectomy

Purpose

To identify the latent classes of resilience in patients with esophageal cancer after esophagectomy and develop a deeper understanding of the association between these classes and patient-reported symptoms.

Background

China accounts for more than half of the global burden of esophageal cancer, and patients with esophageal cancer experience numerous symptoms that affect their quality of life and prognosis. Given that resilience is a key element that alleviates the progression of symptoms, it may represent a potential means of to enhancing cancer patients' physical and psychological well-being.

Methods

The study was implemented in the thoracic surgery departments of three tertiary hospitals in eastern China. The participants were patients who were still hospitalized after esophagectomy. Data were gathered by self-report questionnaires, and a latent class analysis was utilized to identify different categories of resilience among the patients.

Results

A total of 226 patients were recruited. The three classes of resilience identified included high strength and striving (53.5%), medium resilience but weak self-recovery (35.9%), and minimal tenacity and external support (10.6%). Patients with low income (OR = 12.540, p = 0.004) were more likely to be in the minimal tenacity and external support class. Patients without comorbidities (OR = 2.413, p = 0.013) and aged 66-70 years (OR = 4.272, p < 0.001) were more likely to be in the high strength and striving class. The patient-reported symptoms and symptom-related interference of patients after esophagectomy varied considerably among the three categories of resilience.

Conclusion

Accurate interventions should be devised and executed according to the features of each type of resilience in patients after esophagectomy to maximize intervention efficacy. These findings highlight the important role of precision nursing.

Resilience in cancer patients and how it correlates with demographics, psychological factors, and lifestyle

Background

Being diagnosed with cancer is challenging. Many patients wish to be actively involved in treatment and contribute to therapy, but the patients’ coping abilities and desire for involvement differ. The individual level of resilience seems to play a major role. Our study aims to learn more about the associations of resilience and factors as demographics and psychological factors.

Methods

This multicentric cross-sectional study was conducted in ten oncological centers in Germany in summer 2021. The questionnaire collected information on demographics, resilience, self-efficacy, general satisfaction with life, and sense of coherence. Considered lifestyle-aspects were diet and physical activity. 416 patients were included in the analyses.

Results

A moderate mean resilience score was achieved (M = 69). Significant correlations in demographics were found for resilience and education (r = 0.146, p = 0.003), income (r = 0.205, p = 0.001), and time since receiving diagnosis (r = − 0.115, p = 0.021). Resilience and self-efficacy correlated on a high level (r = 0.595, p < 0.001), resilience and sense of coherence, and resilience and general satisfaction with life in a moderate way (r = 0.339, p < 0.001; r = 0.461, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Resilience portrays an important aspect in cancer treatment. Detecting patients at risk, stabilizing, or improving resilience are important to focus on and strengthen them accordingly. Possible negatively influencing factors (e.g., low self-efficacy) need to be considered. Factors affecting resilience but difficult to influence, as educational background, should be screened for. Also, the combination of low resilience and low income seems to describe a vulnerable patient group.