Resilience and Related Factors for Patients with Breast Cancer

Effect of depression and empowerment on medication adherence in patients with breast cancer: a descriptive survey

BACKGROUND

Given the global prevalence of breast cancer and its high mortality rate, adherence to long-term anti-hormonal therapy is crucial for preventing recurrence and improving survival outcomes. Previous research demonstrates how psychological factors including depression and empowerment impact medication adherence. However, comprehensive studies remain limited, especially in Korea. This study explores the effects of depression and empowerment on medication adherence among patients with breast cancer undergoing anti-hormonal therapy.

METHODS

This descriptive survey involved 183 patients with breast cancer from one hospital in South Korea; participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Self-reported questionnaires were used to assess medication adherence, depression levels using the Korean version of the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and empowerment levels using a tool developed for women with breast cancer. Hierarchical regression explored relationships and influences between variables.

RESULTS

Participants demonstrated an average depression score of 19.67 ± 11.25, with medication adherence measured at 18.06 ± 5.15 and empowerment at 106.40 ± 18.15, revealing that, among patients with breast cancer, many experienced depression with varying levels: 16.9% mild, 27.3% moderate, and 21.9% severe. Medication adherence levels were distributed, with 58.5% of patients categorized as non-adherent and 41.5% categorized as adherent. The results indicated a significant negative correlation between depression and medication adherence and a positive correlation between empowerment and medication adherence. Higher empowerment levels were associated with improved adherence. Conversely, high depression levels were associated with low medication adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

This study enhances understandings of psychosocial factors influencing medication adherence in patients with breast cancer, highlighting patient empowerment as crucial for healthcare interventions. Thus, healthcare providers should implement targeted interventions including educational programs to inform patients about their treatment regimens, provide counseling services addressing mental health concerns such as depression, and establish support groups fostering a sense of community and shared experiences among patients. By integrating these strategies into patient care, healthcare professionals can significantly enhance patient empowerment and improve medication adherence toward better health outcomes for breast cancer patients. Future research could explore the long-term effects of these interventions on adherence and overall patient well-being.

Resilience in Koreans With Cancer: Scoping Review

Cancer is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in Korea. However, there has been no previous nursing literature review on the phenomenon of resilience among cancer patients in Korea. The purpose of this study was to identify information about theories, instruments, correlates, and outcomes of resilience in the cancer experiences of Korean adults. This was a scoping review that searched Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Google Scholar, DBpia, and the Korean Studies Information Service System between 2000 and 2016 in order to identify English and Korean research reports. The review yielded 17 quantitative studies, including 2 resilience theories and 6 resilience-specific instruments. The factors self-efficacy, hope, social supports, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression were associated with resilience, regardless of the type of cancer. Quality of life and coping were commonly investigated outcome variables for resilience. This review suggests that a nursing theory reflecting Korean culture and qualitative research concerning the phenomenon of resilience should be conducted as research priorities as the foundation for developing culturally appropriate tools for resilience. This will lead to enhanced quality of life among Korean cancer patients, which is the core of palliative nursing care.