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Self-Esteem as a Predictor of Mental Adjustment in Patients with Breast Cancer

Author

Listed:
  • Pei-Ling Tsai

    (Department of Nursing, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan
    These authors contribute equally in this article.)

  • Ting-Ting Kuo

    (Emergency Room, Department of Nursing, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei City 112401, Taiwan
    These authors contribute equally in this article.)

  • Chih-Hung Ku

    (School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan)

  • Guo-Shiou Liao

    (General Surgery, Division of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan)

  • Chi-Kang Lin

    (Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan
    These authors contribute equally in this article.)

  • Hsueh-Hsing Pan

    (Department of Nursing, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan
    School of Nursing, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan
    These authors contribute equally in this article.)

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the relationship between self-esteem and mental adjustment and examine the directional effects in patients with breast cancer using path modeling. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational study. A total of 128 patients with breast cancer were selected through convenience sampling at a medical center in northern Taiwan. They completed a basic characteristics questionnaire, the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale short form, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and path analysis were used to analyze the data. The results showed that higher self-esteem was associated with better mental adjustment (β = 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.6~1.3, p < 0.001). Age, religious beliefs, employment, cancer stage, and symptom distress were correlated with mental adjustment. Path modeling demonstrated that self-esteem, cancer stage, performance status, and symptom distress directly affected mental adjustment in patients with breast cancer. These findings suggest that health professionals should evaluate self-esteem, performance status, and symptom distress in patients with breast cancer immediately upon admission. This can facilitate early implementation of relevant nursing interventions and, consequently, improve self-esteem and symptom distress and increase mental adjustment in these patients.

Suggested Citation

  • Pei-Ling Tsai & Ting-Ting Kuo & Chih-Hung Ku & Guo-Shiou Liao & Chi-Kang Lin & Hsueh-Hsing Pan, 2021. "Self-Esteem as a Predictor of Mental Adjustment in Patients with Breast Cancer," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-11, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12588-:d:690934
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Schroevers, Maya J. & Ranchor, Adelita V. & Sanderman, Robbert, 2003. "The role of social support and self-esteem in the presence and course of depressive symptoms: a comparison of cancer patients and individuals from the general population," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 57(2), pages 375-385, July.
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