Health related quality of life and psychosocial variables: Characterization of a sample of uruguayan women with breast cancer

Abstract

Health related quality of life (HRQOL) is a complex multidimensional construct that may be affected by demographic, medical, and psychosocial variables. The aim of this study was to examine the association between perceived stress, coping strategies, and depressive symptomatology, and HRQOL outcomes. Participants included 116 Uruguayan women diagnosed with breast cancer who underwent surgery and who were attending ambulatory follow-ups either in private or public health care centers. Factors associated with better adjustment to the disease and its treatment and with higher levels of quality of life, were identified and highlighted. Perceived stress (PSS), depressive symptoms (BDI II), coping strategies (Brief COPE), and HRQOL (MOS-SF-36) were assessed utilizing self-report questionnaires. The results yielded several statistically significant associations between demographic, medical, and psychological factors and participant´s HRQOL. ANOVA analyses indicated surgery for breast cancer with reconstruction was associated to significantly lower levels of perceived stress and depressive symptoms, and to a better HRQOL.