Psychosocial Adjustment between Younger and Older Breast Cancer Survivors

Kim, Hye Young; Ko, Eun

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in psychosocial adjustment between younger (age< or =50) and older (age>50) breast cancer survivors, and to explore the role of sociodemographic and disease-related variables in predicting psychosocial adjustment between younger and older breast cancer survivors.
METHODS
A total of 262 women participated in this study. A self-reported questionnaire, the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self Report Korean version (PAIS-SR Korean version), was used. Data were analyzed with SAS/WIN 9.1 for descriptive statistics using the t-test, ANOVA, and stepwise multiple regression.
RESULTS
The psychosocial adjustment score of younger breast cancer survivors was significantly higher than that of older breast cancer survivors. Significant predictors influencing psychosocial adjustment in younger breast cancer survivors were marital state, menopausal cause, immune therapy, and self-help group, and these predictors account for 48% of the variance in psychosocial adjustment. Significant predictors influencing psychosocial adjustment in older breast cancer survivors were stage of cancer, monthly income, marital state, and menopausal cause. These predictors accounted for 35% of the variance in psychosocial adjustment.
CONCLUSION
The findings indicate the importance of counseling and educational programs to improve the psychosocial adjustment according to breast cancer survivors' age.