Purpose
This study aimed to construct and test a hypothetical model which explains the psychosocial adjustment of breast cancer survivors using the family resilience model suggested by McCubbin and McCubbin.
Methods
The study participants were 242 breast cancer survivors who had finished active treatments within the past five years. Data were collected from September to October 2017 from an offline breast cancer self-help group survey and an online breast cancer support group. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 and AMOS version 23.0.
Results
The model fit indices for the modified hypothetical model were suitable for the recommended level: x² =223.80 (df=88, p<.001), x² /df=2.54, RMR=.04, GFI=.90, IFI=.93, CFI=.93, and RMSEA=.08. Symptoms and posttraumatic growth directly affected psychosocial adjustment. Symptoms were found to be the most influential factors in the psychosocial adjustment. All three family resilience factors-family hardiness, problem-solving communication, and problem-solving coping-directly affected posttraumatic growth and indirectly affected psychosocial adjustment through posttraumatic growth. These variables explained 81.2% of breast cancer survivors’ psychosocial adjustment.
Conclusion
Health care professionals need to continue to provide interventions for symptom relief and support to improve the psychosocial adjustment of breast cancer survivors. Additionally, practical nursing interventions should be prepared for individuals and families of breast cancer survivors to promote recovery and reinforce family resilience. This will ultimately improve the quality of life for breast cancer survivors and their families.

Citations

• Validation of the Korean Version of Patient-Centered Care Tool: For Outpatients
  Yeo Ju Kim, Gunjeong Lee, Sunyeob Choi
  Patient Preference and Adherence.2023; Volume 17: 1525.     CrossRef
• Do spouse burden of care, family resilience, and coping affect family function in gynecologic cancer in Korea?: a cross-sectional study
  Minkyung Kim, Sukhee Ahn
  Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing.2022; 28(3): 197.     CrossRef