Psychological Empowerment in Breast Cancer Survivors: Posttraumatic Growth and Related Factors

Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer is traumatic for both patients and their relatives. It is crucial to understand the factors that enhance the psychological resilience of breast cancer survivors. This study aims to investigate posttraumatic growth following breast cancer and its relationship with psychiatric disorders, social support, and stigma.

The study included 100 female breast cancer patients and 100 relatives. Patients underwent a DSM-5-based structured psychiatric interview and were assessed with the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale (HADS), the Cancer Patient Perceived Social Support Scale (CPPSSS), and Cancer-related Attitudes Measurement Questionnaire (CRAMQ)-patient version. The patient's relatives were administered the PTGI, HADS, and CRAMQ-community versions.

Psychiatric disorders were diagnosed in 40% of individuals with breast cancer, most commonly major depressive disorder (22%). Posttraumatic growth demonstrated a negative correlation with age and a positive association with being employed. The presence of psychiatric disorders and elevated anxiety levels are associated with reduced personal growth. Perceived emotional/confidence social support were associated with increased growth. A subscale of stigma 'impossibility of recovery', led to a positive shift in life philosophy and interpersonal relationships. Additionally, both patients' age and the level of growth in their relatives were found to predict posttraumatic growth in the patients (B=-0.499, p=0.021; B=0.211, p=0.044, logistic regression).

Posttraumatic growth is negatively associated with age and the presence of a psychiatric disorder, and positively associated with employment and social support. Additionally, relatives' posttraumatic growth and patients' age predict posttraumatic growth in patients. Stigmatising the perception of "impossibility of recovery" is associated with positive psychological change, possibly reflecting a more traumatic perception of the cancer diagnosis, a reduction in denial, and increased acceptance of the illness. This acceptance of mortality may lead to deeper personal transformation for a more meaningful life and improved interpersonal relationships.