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Social constraints and quality of life among chinese-speaking breast cancer survivors: a mediation model

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Abstract

Purpose

Literature has revealed detrimental effects of unsupportive interpersonal interactions on adjustment to cancer. However, no studies have examined this effect and the underlying psychological pathways among Chinese-speaking breast cancer survivors. The study investigated the relationship between social constraints and adjustment to cancer and the underlying psychological pathways among Chinese-speaking breast cancer survivors.

Methods

Chinese-speaking breast cancer survivors (N = 120) completed a questionnaire package assessing social constraints, intrusive thoughts, affect, and quality of life.

Results

Results revealed a negative relationship between social constraints and quality of life. Such a relationship between social constraints and quality of life was mediated by negative affect and intrusive thoughts, while the association of intrusive thoughts and quality of life were completely mediated by positive and negative affect.

Conclusion

Findings highlight the negative association between unsupportive interpersonal interactions and adjustment through cognitive and affective pathways among Chinese-speaking breast cancer survivors.

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Acknowledgments

The authors had full access to the original data. The research was supported by American Cancer Society (Grant MRSGT-10-011-01-CPPB, Qian Lu, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator) and Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation (Grant BCTR0707861, Qian Lu, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator). We thank Richard Rodriguez and Samuel Yi for proofreading the earlier draft of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Houston, 126 Heyne Building, Houston, TX, 77204, USA

    Qian Lu

  2. Department of Psychology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China

    Jin You

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  1. Jin You
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Correspondence to Qian Lu.

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You, J., Lu, Q. Social constraints and quality of life among chinese-speaking breast cancer survivors: a mediation model. Qual Life Res 23, 2577–2584 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-014-0698-4

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