Bano Sher, Chidinma Ibeji Uchenna, Jamil Usman, Saqlain Muhammad, Zulfiqar Maleeha, Saeed Mahnoor, Maria Leonor Obando Cabezas, Zaidi Syeda Maryam Zehra, Iqbal Javed, Muhammad Ali Syed, John Steve Paulson, AlQaderi Abdulrahman
Clinical Psychology, Brain Wave Research Center, Islamabad, PAK.
Internal Medicine, Uyun Al Jawa General Hospital, Uyun Al Jawa, SAU.
Cureus. 2025 Apr 7;17(4):e81831. doi: 10.7759/cureus.81831. eCollection 2025 Apr.
Introduction Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women. Beyond its physical impact, it significantly affects mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. Coping mechanisms and social support play a crucial role in emotional resilience; however, limited research has examined these factors in Pakistani women. This study investigates the relationship between psychological distress, coping strategies, and social support among women diagnosed with breast cancer. Method This cross-sectional study included 100 women (N = 100, 100% female) diagnosed with breast cancer, recruited from private hospitals and clinics. Standardized instruments assessed generalized anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7)), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) 9-item scale), coping strategies (Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory 28-item scale), and social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) 12-item scale). Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States), employing correlation analysis and group comparisons based on education, employment, and chemotherapy history. Results Higher generalized anxiety levels correlated with increased use of coping mechanisms (r = 0.133, p < 0.01), while perceived social support was positively associated with coping responses (r = 0.130, p < 0.01). Participants receiving chemotherapy reported higher social support (p = 0.016, Cohen's d = 0.71), whereas non-recipients exhibited more significant depression (p = 0.001, Cohen's d = 0.75). Conclusion Findings highlight the psychological burden of breast cancer and the critical role of coping strategies and social support. Tailored interventions are crucial for enhancing mental well-being, coping efficacy, and treatment outcomes, particularly among vulnerable groups.
引言
乳腺癌是最常见的恶性肿瘤之一，也是女性癌症相关死亡的主要原因。除了对身体的影响外，它还会显著影响心理健康，导致焦虑、抑郁和心理困扰。应对机制和社会支持在情绪恢复力方面起着至关重要的作用；然而，针对巴基斯坦女性的这方面研究有限。本研究调查了被诊断为乳腺癌的女性的心理困扰、应对策略和社会支持之间的关系。
方法
这项横断面研究纳入了100名被诊断为乳腺癌的女性（N = 100，100%为女性），她们是从私立医院和诊所招募的。使用标准化工具评估广泛性焦虑（广泛性焦虑障碍7项量表（GAD - 7））、抑郁（患者健康问卷 - 9（PHQ - 9）9项量表）、应对策略（经历问题的简短应对取向（COPE）量表28项量表）和社会支持（感知社会支持多维量表（MSPSS）12项量表）。使用IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows，版本26（2019年发布；IBM公司，美国纽约州阿蒙克）进行数据分析，采用相关性分析以及基于教育程度、就业情况和化疗史的组间比较。
结果
较高的广泛性焦虑水平与应对机制使用的增加相关（r = 0.133，p < 0.01），而感知到的社会支持与应对反应呈正相关（r = 0.130，p < 0.01）。接受化疗的参与者报告的社会支持更高（p = 0.016，科恩d值 = 0.71），而未接受化疗的参与者表现出更显著的抑郁（p = 0.001，科恩d值 = 0.75）。
结论
研究结果凸显了乳腺癌的心理负担以及应对策略和社会支持的关键作用。量身定制的干预措施对于提高心理健康、应对效能和治疗效果至关重要，特别是在弱势群体中。
