The mediating effect of coping responses on the relationship between external locus of control and quality of life of women diagnosed with breast cancer

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating effect of coping responses on the relationship between external locus of control and quality of life among Malaysian breast cancer patients. Methods: A descriptive and correlational cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was conducted for the purpose of this study. A convenience sample of 130 Malaysian women diagnosed with breast cancer completed questionnaires measuring external dimensions of locus of control, quality of life, and copying responses. Results: The results showed a negative relationship between powerful others and patients’ quality of life. Moreover, active-emotional coping mediated the negative relationship between powerful others and quality of life. Conclusion: The results revealed that breast cancer patients who believed in powerful others (e.g. medical staff), less likely used an active-emotional coping strategy and as a result, they experienced a lower quality of life. The findings indicated the need for early, targeted psychological interventions seeking to encourage externally oriented cancer patients to use more active emotional coping strategies as it may improve their quality of life.

Keywords:

Breast cancer , coping strategy , locus of control , quality of life , mediation