Psychosocial factors associated with family dynamics, self-efficacy and family resilience in breast cancer patients. A cross-sectional study during the preoperative period

Breast cancer (BC) diagnosis has a significant psychological impact on patients andtheir families. Prompt identification of risk factors related to the diagnosis of the disease,such as psychosocial, intrafamilial and interpersonal factors, contribute to adaptation toillness and psychological resilience both for patients and their intrafamilial environment.The aim of this study was to investigate psychosocial factors associated with familydynamics, self-efficacy and family resilience in BC patients during the preoperativeperiod. This was a cross-sectional study, through the administration of validatedquestionnaires to 159 patients in the preoperative period. The survey was conducted inthree surgery clinics of public hospitals in Athens, between October 2019 and December2021. Statistical analyzes performed were descriptive statistics, Pearson correlationcoefficient (r) and multiple regression analysis. The mean age of the sample was 55.2years (SD= 12.1). Multiple regression analysis showed that the SRCE was related toFS-12 scales (p<0,001) and the dimension of “Problem solving” of the FAD scales(p=0,033). According to the subscales of F-COPES, “Acquiring social support” wasrelated to income (p=0,029), “Reframing” was related to FS-12 scales (p<0,001) and theFAD dimension “Problem solving” (p=0,029). The subscale “Acquiring social support”was related to the educational level (p<0,001), “Mobilizing family to acquire/accept help”was related to “Communication” of the FAD scales (p=0,013), “Passive appraisal” wasrelated to the educational level (p= 0,002). Finally, the overall score of the F-COPESscales was related to the FS-12 scales (<0,001). The manifestation of the diseaseincreases family dysfunction, stress for the patient and family relationships, while it isrelated to decreased self-efficacy, communication, conflict resolution, family and socialsupport.