Predicting well-being among breast cancer survivors.

The purpose of this descriptive study was to test a conceptual model that predicts well-being among women who have survived breast cancer. The model was derived from empirical research findings that identified health care orientation, uncertainty, social support, resourcefulness and self-esteem as significant predictors of well-being in persons diagnosed with cancer. The convenience sample was of 84 women who had completed primary treatment for breast cancer and were currently disease-free. After informed consent was obtained each woman completed six questionnaires which measured the study variables. Multiple regression techniques were used to empirically test the predicted conceptual relationships and to estimate predictive validity for the model. Findings indicated that uncertainty and social support were significant predictors of resourcefulness and explained 12% of the variance in resourcefulness. Resourcefulness and social support were significant predictors of self-esteem and explained 33% of the variance in self-esteem. In combination, social support, resourcefulness, and self-esteem were significant predictors of well-being and explained 42% of the variance in well-being. Health care orientation was not a significant variable. This study confirmed hypotheses and provided insight into the variables that significantly influence well-being in women who have survived breast cancer. Recommendations for practice are given with suggestions made for further research.