PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to describe the impact of fatigue and distress on self-efficacy among breast cancer survivors and to provide a base for development of nursing intervention strategy to improve self-efficacy.
METHODS
A descriptive research design was used. The subjects were 158 patients who were either being treated or were receiving follow-up care at a university breast center in D City from May 30 to August 30, 2014. Structured questionnaires, Revised Piper Fatigue Scale, Distress Thermometer, and Self-Efficacy Scale for Self-Management of Breast Cancer were used to measure fatigue, distress, and self-efficacy. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regressions.
RESULTS
The mean scores of fatigue, distress, and self-efficacy were 3.83, 4.31, and 3.77, respectively. There were significant differences among participants in terms of educational background, current treatment methods, perceived health status, economic burden for fatigue and perceived health status for distress. Self-efficacy was impacted by age, educational background, marital status, average monthly income, perceived health status, and medical expenses. Fatigue, age, and the burden on medical expense had the most impact on self-efficacy, accounting for 17% of the variance.
CONCLUSION
Fatigue should be managed to improve self-efficacy of breast cancer survivors. Therefore, nursing programs designed to decrease fatigue may be helpful.

Citations

• Analysis of Breast Cancer Nursing Education Content and Educational needs for Breast Cancer Patient Nursing Perceived by Nurses
  Young-Hee Je, Kyoung-Ah Kang
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2025; 25(1): 1.     CrossRef
• Does the Association Between Fatigue and Fatigue Self-management Preference Vary by Breast Cancer Stage?
  Min Kyeong Jang, Chang Park, Keon Suk Lee, KyungHi Lee, Eun Kyung Hwang, Hye Jin Joh, Kyung Hee Lim, Yun Hee Ko, Dong Mi Kim, Jeehee Han, Sue Kim
  Cancer Nursing.2022; 45(1): 43.     CrossRef
• Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Levels and Cancer-related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors: Effects of an Exercise Adherence Program
  Sung Hae Kim, Yoon Kyung Song, Jeehee Han, Yun Hee Ko, Hyojin Lee, Min Jae Kang, Hyunki Park, Hyangkyu Lee, Sue Kim
  Journal of Breast Cancer.2020; 23(2): 205.     CrossRef
• Relationships between Attitude Towards Treatment, Distress, and Decision Conflict among Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy
  Hyun Mi You, Eun Young Park
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2019; 19(4): 242.     CrossRef
• The Role of Sleep Quality, Social Support and Fatigue on Daily Life Self-Efficacy in People with Spinal Cord Injury
  Simin Zeqeibi Ghannad1, Tayebe Fateminik, Sirus Alipoor
  Iranina Journal of Psychiatric Nursing.2017; 5(5): 26.     CrossRef
• The Impact of Social Cognitive Constructs on Dietary Behaviors in Breast Cancer Survivors
  Hyenam Hwang
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2016; 16(3): 139.     CrossRef