TITLE:
The Predictors of Psychological Status among Primary Breast Cancer Patients in Japan
AUTHORS:
Takako Maeda, Isamu Morishima, Ei Ueno, Takeshi Umemoto, Kyoko Dogo Sasaki
KEYWORDS:
Breast Cancer; Japanese; Anxiety; Depression; Self-Repressive Trait; Family Support
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nursing,
Vol.4 No.3,
March
5,
2014
ABSTRACT: This study examined the
psychological status of Japanese ambulatory patients with primary breast
cancer, with a focus on evaluating the impact of the patients’ self-repressive
trait and the role of previously identified associated factors, including
social support, attributes, and disease-related variables. The subjects included 112 women [mean (SD) age: 58.3
(12.7)] in Japan with postoperative primary breast cancer. The results showed
that around 40% of the subjects were in a psychologically vulnerable situation.
In addition, the self-repressive trait and support from family were significant
predictors of both anxiety [self-repressive trait (β = 0.30, p = 0.000)
and family support (β = -0.37, p = 0.001)] and depression [self-repressive trait (β = 0.26, p = 0.002) and family support (β = -0.42, p = 0.000)], whereas attributes
and disease-related variables were not. Health care providers need to recognize
that self-repressive patients may seem to be well-adjusted when, in fact, they are suffering. Careful assessment of
self-repression and psychological status is needed. Family support can
contribute to a better psychological status of patients. Nurses need to
encourage and provide support for not only the patients but also the family
members so that family members can also effectively care for the patients’
needs.