Self Esteem and its Associated Factors in Patients with Breast Cancer

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the Iran and constitutes a major source of medical and psychological morbidity. The psychosocial sequelae, while not always severe, can last up to a year after diagnosis. This may be a time when spiritual and social resources becomeimportant. Accordingly this study was conducted with aim of assessing self esteem and its related factors in patients with Breast Cancer. Methods: It was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. The subjects (n= 230) were recruited by convenience sampling from Breast Cancer in Kerman. Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory was used as data collection tool. Data was analyzed by independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, Spearman correlation coefficient, chi-square test and post hoc Scheffe test using SPSS (version 18). Results: The mean score of self-esteem was 17/5 ± 53/20. Most patients had moderate self-esteem, and only a small percentage of them (16.2%) had high self esteem. There were significant relationship between the patients’ self-esteem and their age, educational level, marital status, employment status and the duration of disease (P<0.05). Conclusions: Nurses are able to consider the patients’ esteem needs by recognition of high risk groups and provide appropriate interventions to improve the quality of life of these patients and their families.

Keywords:

Self -Esteem , Breast Cancer