To investigate how married women with breast cancer adaptedthemselves after breast surgery and to evaluate selected variables related to adaptation.
One hundred participants were married women withbreast cancer who met the inclusion criteria from November 2017 to February 2018.To collect data, we compiled the demographic questionnaire and clinical data form, theadaptation of breast cancer questionnaire, and the social support scale. The data wereanalyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and Pearson’s product momentcorrelation.
The average age of participants was 54.37 years (SD = 9.50). The mean durationafter breast surgery was seven months (SD = 3.26). One-third of the participants (35 %)received a combination therapy of surgery and chemotherapy. The results showed that theparticipants had a high adaptation level. Among four modes of adaptation, high levels ofadaptation were found for physiological and role-function modes, but moderate levels forthe self-concept and interdependence modes. It was found that social support waspositively related to adaptation (r = 0.436, p < 0.05).
The findings are significant for guiding the intervention by promotingsocial support among married women after breast surgery.
adaptation, breast cancer, breast surgery, social support
Received: June 14, 2019
Revision received: June 17, 2019
Accepted after revision: July 17, 2019
BKK Med J 2019;15(2): 186-192.
DOI: 10.31524/bkkmedj.2019.09.011