title: Self-efficacy for coping with symptoms moderates the relationship between physical symptoms and well-being in breast cancer survivors taking adjuvant endocrine therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the relationships between physical symptoms, self-efficacy for coping with symptoms, and functional, emotional, and social well-being in women who were taking adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and twelve women who were taking adjuvant endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor) for breast cancer completed measures of physical symptoms, self-efficacy for coping with symptoms, and functional, social, and emotional well-being at the time of routine medical follow-up (women were on average 3.4 years post-surgery; range 3 months to 11 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multiple linear regression analyses showed that higher self-efficacy for coping with symptoms was associated with greater functional, emotional, and social well-being after controlling for physical symptoms (p < 0.05). Self-efficacy for coping with symptoms moderated the relationship between physical symptoms and functional (B = 0.05, SE = 0.02, t = 2.67, p = 0.009) and emotional well-being (B = 0.03, SE = 0.01, t = 2.45, p = 0.02). As self-efficacy increased, the relationship between greater physical symptoms and lower well-being became weaker. Among women with high levels of self-efficacy, physical symptoms were not related to functional and emotional well-being.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-efficacy for coping with symptoms may reduce the negative impact of physical symptoms and contribute to well-being in breast cancer survivors taking adjuvant endocrine therapy. Future studies could examine whether psychosocial interventions aimed at increasing self-efficacy for managing symptoms help women better cope with treatment side effects and improve quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, 2200 W. Main St., Suite 340, Durham, 27705, NC, USA, rebecca.shelby@dm.duke.edu.
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Shelby
authors.forename: Sara N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Edmond
authors.forename: Anava A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Wren
authors.forename: Francis J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Keefe
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Peppercorn
authors.forename: Paul K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Marcom
authors.forename: Kimberly L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Blackwell
authors.forename: Gretchen G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Kimmick
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000277:Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000277:Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D013629:Tamoxifen