Longitudinal study of posttraumatic growth and quality of life in women’s breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship between posttraumatic growth (CPT) and Quality of Life (QoL) in a sample of women survivors of Breast Cancer, over three years after completion of treatment.

Method: A sample of outpatients (N=156) completed the Argentinean adaptation of Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and Scale for the evaluation of chronic disease (FACIT-B).

A longitudinal descriptive correlational study with a non-experimental design was used. The psychometric properties of the questionnaires used in the sample were evaluated. Pearson correlation was used to relate the two constructs and the Friedman test for assessing the existence of significant differences in the values of CPT and CV over time.

Results: The median age was 60,7 (DT=9,0). The 54,5%, 50% and 53.9% of participants had moderate to high CPT in the first, second and third visits respectively. There were no significant differences among the three views (PTGI Total p=0,153). The highest levels of CPT are associated with better CV. This relationship is also maintained in the first visit (r =0,227; p=0,022), second (r=0,317; p=0,001) and third (r=0,304; p=0,002). CV was deficient and decreased over time.

Conclusions: The CPT remained stable. It was found positive relations between the CPT and the CV, which were maintained over time.