Disease related anxiety, coping strategies and quality of life of breast cancer patients at Mulago National Referral Hospital

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between disease related anxiety, coping strategies and quality of life of breast cancer patients at Mulago National Referral Hospital. A quantitative correlational approach was employed to collect data from a sample of women living with breast cancer at Mulago National Hospital (UCI) (N = 193) aged 18 and above years. Participants completed self-report measures assessing disease related anxiety, coping strategies, and quality of life. Disease related anxiety did not predict quality of life (β=-.016, p=.822, β=-.018, p=.809). However Disease related anxiety was found to be a significant predictor of adaptive and emotional coping (β=.245 p<001, β=.313 p<.001), but did not predict avoidant coping (β=.204, p=.005). On the other hand, coping strategies did not predict quality of life (β=-.108, -.085 p=.133,.238, β=-.030,-.052 p=.676,.474, β=-.038, .097, p=.597,.182) hence coping strategies not mediating the relationship between DRA and QoL. It can be concluded that while disease-related anxiety and coping strategies are important factors in the lives of breast cancer patients, their relationship with quality of life is more complex than hypothesized. It can be noted that anxiety and coping strategies may differ based on the stage of cancer. Therefore future research may investigate these variables over time to better capture their interactions The findings however highlight the need to consider other factors, such as timing, treatment stage, and individual characteristics hence future research may investigate these variables over time to better capture their interactions and effects on patients’ well-being.