The quality of life and self-efficacy of Turkish breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Self-efficacy has a positive effect on health behaviors, symptom control, compliance with cancer treatment, and quality of life. This study aims to describe the quality of life and self-efficacy of Turkish breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The sample consisted of 141 patients. Data was gathered using a Patient Information Form, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer (FACT-B), a scale about Strategies Used by Patients to Promote Health and the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist. All quality of life dimensions were negatively affected at a significant level. Following commencement of chemotherapy, there was an increase in the negative effect on physical well-being, emotional well-being and additional concerns subscales and total FACT-B and their self-efficacy was negatively affected to a moderate degree. However, a significant degree of change did not occur in the self-efficacy. During treatment the physical symptoms and psychological distress increased and the activity level was negatively affected. The quality of life and self-efficacy were influenced by personal and medical characteristics, showing consistency with similar studies. Because there are negative effects of cancer and chemotherapy on patients' quality of life and self-efficacy, nurses need to focus on designing psychosocial interventions to improve their self-efficacy and quality of life.
Istanbul Bilim University, Florence Nightingale Hospital School of Nursing, Istanbul, Turkey. semihaakin@yahoo.com
Semiha
S
Akin
Gulbeyaz
G
Can
Zehra
Z
Durna
Adnan
A
Aydiner
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey