Gender differences in the predictors of quality of life in patients with cancer: A cross sectional study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to explore potential differences in the sociodemographic (with a special focus on gender differences) and psychological predictors of quality of life in individuals diagnosed with cancer. METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational study was carried out involving individuals struggling with different forms of cancer (N = 430). Linear regression was used to investigate the concurrent predictive role of the independent variables, stratified by gender, for each of the five cancer-specific quality of life domains and overall quality of life. RESULTS: Sociodemographic characteristics had only a negligible to small role in predicting quality of life in both men and women. In contrast, the psychological variables explained a significantly larger portion of the variance in both genders. There were no statistically significant gender differences regarding the raw quality of life domain scores; however, their predictors were markedly different in the two groups. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that it is imperative to take gender differences into consideration when planning psychosocial interventions also focusing on strengths, resources, and coping strategies. Considering the consistently emerging importance of family support in patients' quality of life, offering psychological interventions to caregivers/family members seems warranted to empower them to provide support to patients throughout the illness trajectory.

Relationship satisfaction and self-esteem in patients with breast cancer and healthy women: the role of expected and actual personal projects support from the partner.

BACKGROUND: For breast cancer patients, the partner's support for personal projects can serve as a means of adaptation. We aimed to investigate the associations between the intimate partner's personal project support and women's well-being. METHODS: A sample of 274 Hungarian women (breast cancer patients n = 137, control n = 137) took part in the study. Expected and actually received autonomy-, directive- and emotional project support was assessed by the procedure of Personal Project Assessment. Well-being was measured by the Relationship Assessment Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. For investigating the associations between project support and well-being in a multivariate way, structural equation modelling was used. RESULTS: Except for autonomy support, participants expected more support than they received. A path model indicated multiple associations between types of project support and relationship satisfaction and self-esteem. The partner's emotional project support was predictive of women's relationship satisfaction and self-esteem, while directive support was predictive of self-esteem only. The associations showed similar patterns in the subgroups of patients with breast cancer and control. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the importance of involving women's subjective perspectives regarding the partner's project support while also have implications for praxis. Teaching women how to communicate their needs to their partner effectively (whether it is the need for autonomy or directive guidance) can help close the gap between expected and received support, which may in turn enhance relationship satisfaction and self-esteem.

Striving for autonomy in everyday diabetes self-management-qualitative exploration via grounded theory approach.

OBJECTIVES: The rapid worldwide increase in the incidence of diabetes significantly influences the lives of individuals, families and communities. Diabetes self-management requires personal autonomy and the presence of a supportive social environment. These attributes can considerably ameliorate the outcomes of the chronic condition. However, little is known about individual variations in overcoming the illness-related challenges and in the achievement of autonomy in daily activities. This paper seeks to bridge this knowledge gap. DESIGN: This qualitative study used the grounded theory approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data collection and data analysis probed participant experiences of autonomy through the self-management of their daily socio-physical environments. SETTING: Participants were recruited from the outpatient ward of a university clinic in Hungary. PARTICIPANTS: The study was conducted with 26 adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (15 females and 11 males aged between 26 and 80 years; M=62.6 years; SD=13.1). The inclusion criteria were: T2D diagnosis at least 1 year before the beginning of the study; prescribed insulin injection therapy; aged over 18 years; native Hungarian speaker and not diagnosed with dementia or any form of cognitive impairment. RESULTS: The study established three principal aspects of the active construction of personal autonomy in diabetes self-management: coping strategies vis-à-vis threats posed by the symptoms and the treatment of the disease; autonomous ways of creating protective space and time and relationship processes that support everyday experiences of self-directedness. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm the validity of the self-determination theory in diabetes self-management. They also imply that pathways towards constructing everyday experiences of self-directedness in participants lead through self-acceptance, supporting family relationships and a doctor-patient relationship characterised by partnership. The tentative empirical model of pathways towards patients' experience of self-directedness can serve as a framework for future research, patient-centred clinical practice, and education.

[Attachment style, relationship and sexual satisfaction: comparing breast cancer patients and healthy women]. / Kötodési stílus, kapcsolati és szexuális elégedettség: emlorákos és egészséges nok összehasonlító vizsgálata.

Introduction: Many studies have investigated attachment styles in adults diagnosed with breast cancer: previous results indicate the importance of considering the associations between attachment style and relationship functioning in order to support better quality of life and optimal healing process in patients. Aim and method: In this study we intend to assess the attachment style (anxiety and avoidance) of Hungarian women diagnosed with breast cancer (n = 135) and to compare it with a group of women not diagnosed with cancer (n = 137). We examined attachment style in relation to self-rated health as well as relational and sexual satisfaction. Results: In the diagnosed group, we found higher level of avoidant attachment as well as poorer self-rated health, and lower relationship and sexual satisfaction. Both higher avoidance and anxiety predicted lower relationship satisfaction, while sexual satisfaction was predicted by having a breast cancer diagnosis and better self-rated health. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the attachment pattern of women diagnosed with cancer can play a role in their relationships and sexual satisfaction, along with their subjective health status. Monitoring and supporting physical, mental and relational characteristics may contribute to the attainment of better quality of life. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(13): 510-518.