The relationship between Breast Cancer Stigma and Body Image Concern on Psychological Distress in Breast Cancer Patients: A Mediating Role of Perceived Social Support
Keywords:
Social support, Psychological distress, Stigma, Body Image Concern, Breast Cancer PatientsAbstract
Objective: Psychological distress is prevalent among individuals with breast cancer and can range from feelings of sadness and vulnerability to more serious issues like depression and anxiety. As more people survive cancer, there is a growing interest in studying factors that may predict psychological distress in these patients. This study aims to evaluate the mediating role of perceived social support in the relationship between breast cancer stigma and body Image concern and psychological distress among Iranian breast cancer patients.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted February to June 2023, using a correlational design with a sample size of 298 women with cancer selected through convenience sampling. Participants filled out a five-part questionnaire namely breast cancer stigma, body image concern, psychological distress and perceived social support. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were used for data analysis.
Results: Breast cancer stigma positively correlated with psychological distress (r=0.708, p-value < 0.001) and negatively with perceived social support (r=-0.318, p-value < 0.001). Body image concern positively correlated with psychological distress (r=0.432, p-value < 0.001) and negatively with perceived social support (r=-0.672, p-value < 0.001). Perceived social support mediated the relationship between stigma and psychological distress (b=-0.116, p-value=0.046) and body image concern and psychological distress (b=0.554, p-value<0.001). The mediation model explained 34.0% of the variance in stigma and body image concern, with a significant full effect of stigma and on psychological distress (b=0.373, p-value<0.001) and body image concern on psychological distress (b = 0.576, p-value < 0.001).
Conclusion: Perceived social support is essential in assisting cancer patients in coping with psychological distress, body image concerns, and stigma. A mediation model has revealed that perceived social support explains 34.0% of the variance in psychological distress among Iranian breast cancer patients. This underscores the significance of implementing interventions that enhance social support to diminish psychological distress outcomes within these patients.
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Copyright (c) 2023 Azadeh Rezazadeh Fazeli (Author); Mohammadreza Zarbakhsh Bahri; Hamid Sharif-Nia (Author)
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