The Protective Effect Of Family Resilience On Mental Health Of Breast Cancer Survivors

Objective:The purpose of this study is to explore the protective effect of family resilience on mental health of breast cancer survivors,to understand the function of family resilience in maintaining mental health,and to describe the relationship between perceived stress,family resilience and individual mental health status of breast cancer survivors.Methods:Study 1 used questionnaire to investigate the relationship between perceived stress,family resilience and mental health status of breast cancer patients.408 patients with breast cancer were surveyed by convenience sampling.The questionnaire included family resilience questionnaire,Perceived Stress Scale,Beck Depression Inventory II,Self-rating Anxiety Scale and Oxford Well-being Questionnaire.Study 2 interviewed breast cancer survivors to explore the life experience,coping strategies and family resilience of them,and to describe the relationship between variables in study1 under the real ecological environment.Results:Among the breast cancer survivors,38%had depressive symptoms while 48.5%had anxiety symptoms.Relevant analysis showed that family resilience was negatively correlated with individual perceived stress,positively correlated with well-being,negatively correlated with anxiety and depression.Perceived stress was negatively correlated with well-being,and positively correlated with anxiety and depression.Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that perceived stress was significant predictor of anxiety,which explained 26.0%of the variance;both perceived stress and family resilience were significant predictors of depression,which together explained 18.4%of the variance;both perceived stress and family resilience were significant predictors of well-being,which together explained 44.8%of the variance.Structural equation model showed that family resilience had significant positive predictive effect on individual mental health(?=0.43,p<0.001),family resilience had significant negative predictive effect on perceived stress(?=-0.46,p<0.001).Individual perceived stress had significant negative predictive effect on family resilience and mental health(?=-0.33,p<0.001).The fitness index of the model was?~2/df=2.40,NFI=0.985,CFI=0.991,IFI=0.991,GFI=0.979,RMSEA=0.059.Conclusion:1.Stress has a significant impact on the mental health of breast cancer survivors.Higher perceived stress will reduce well-being and lead to anxiety and depression.2.Family resilience can directly predict the mental health level of breast cancer survivors.Individuals with high family resilience have better well-being,and less negative emotions such as anxiety and depression.3.Individual perceived stress mediates the relationship between family resilience and mental health of breast cancer survivors.Family resilience can improve mental health of breast cancer survivors by reducing individual perceived stress.4.Family resilience of breast cancer survivors has Chinese traditional cultural characteristics.By improving the family's perseverance,harmony,openness and support,we can help patients accept the disease,slow down the catastrophic process,relieve pressure,enhance the treatment motivation,help patients form good expectations and plans for the future,and make life return to normal.