Well-being in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white survivors of breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To test a well-being model on Hispanic and non-Hispanic white survivors of breast cancer by comparing responses about variables hypothesized to predict well-being.


METHODS
Healthcare orientation, uncertainty, social support, resourcefulness, self-esteem, and well-being.


METHODS
Descriptive and comparative.


METHODS
50 Hispanic and 50 non-Hispanic white women who completed treatment for breast cancer and were disease-free.


METHODS
Regional cancer center in southwestern United States.


METHODS
Subjects completed the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Health Care Orientation Subscale, Mishel Uncertainty Illness Scale, Personal Resource Questionnaire, Self-Control Schedule, Self-Esteem Inventory, and Index of Well-Being.


RESULTS
Both groups of women reported high well-being. Sample characteristics were not related significantly to well-being in either group. No statistically significant differences were found between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women on any variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Comparison of well-being models revealed similarities between the two groups, including variables entering each regression equation, and explained variance. Further research is needed to explore whether commonalities in women's responses to breast cancer exist independent of ethnicity.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses should continue encouraging both Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women to share concerns and seek information from healthcare providers while strengthening feelings of self-worth because these factors directly affect well-being.
Dirksen
Shannon Ruff
SR
College of Nursing, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA. shannon.dirksen@asu.edu
Erickson
Julie Reed
JR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011584:Psychology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People; D016387:Women's Health