Relationships between spiritual well-being and body image perception in Turkish women undergoing mastectomy

Mastectomy is a commonly used method in the treatment of breast cancer and significantly affects patients' perception of body image. This study aimed to examine the relationship between spiritual well-being and body image perception in women who have undergone mastectomy.

The cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with 124 women who underwent mastectomy in Turkey. Data were collected using the Spiritual Well-Being Scale and the Body Image after Breast Cancer Questionnaire.

The study found that 78% of women had high spiritual well-being, with an average score of 37.60 ± 6.97. The average body image score was 99.92 ± 27.42, with 63% of participants reporting a negative body image. A significant negative correlation was observed between spiritual well-being and negative body image (r =  - 0.596; p < 0.001).

Spiritual well-being plays a protective role in enhancing body image in women who have undergone mastectomy. It underscores the importance of incorporating spiritual support into psychosocial care for these patients. The study also suggests that future research should focus on positive psychological concepts such as resilience and adaptation.