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Exploring the Positive Thinking of Patients With Prostate Cancer: Self-efficacy as a Mediator
Ching-Hui Chien1, Cheng-Keng Chuang, Kuan-Lin Liu
1Author Affiliations: College of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei (Dr Chien); Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou (Drs Chuang and Pang); College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan (Drs Chuang, Pang, Wu, and Chang); Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Keelung, Taiwan (Drs Liu and Wu); and Department of Urology, New Taipei City Municipal Tucheng Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan (Dr Chang).
Background:
Research has explored the effectiveness of positive thinking on individuals, but only a few studies have investigated the factors that influence individual positive thinking, particularly among patients with prostate cancer.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to understand the factors that affect positive thinking among patients with prostate cancer and the mediating role of self-efficacy.
Methods:
A cross-sectional design and a convenience sampling method were used to recruit patients with prostate cancer from 2 hospitals in Taiwan. Structured scales were used for data collection, including the General Self-efficacy Scale, Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite, Positive Thinking Scale, and Social Support Scale.
Results:
The total average score for positive thinking among 201 patients was 66.1 (SD, 9.4). The factors that influenced the positive thinking of patients with prostate cancer included self-efficacy, treatment satisfaction, perceived health status, marital status, and appraisal support. The effects of treatment satisfaction and appraisal support on positive thinking were partly achieved through self-efficacy (partial mediation).
Conclusions:
Self-efficacy is a mediator that affects the relationship of treatment satisfaction, appraisal support, and positive thinking.
Implications For Practice:
In the course of the disease, healthcare providers can help patients with prostate cancer to promote and maintain appropriate positive thinking by improving treatment satisfaction; increasing appraisal support from family, relatives, and friends; strengthening self-efficacy; and modifying unrealistic expectations.
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