Predicting Mental Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors Using Comparison Participants

Abstract

The objective of this research is to propose a comprehensive model for the prediction of long-term mental health in breast cancer survivors diagnosed 5 to 15 years earlier, compared to female participants referring to the most stressful event that occurred within the last 20 years. Nearly 300 survivors and 132 comparison participants were consulted using a questionnaire, which evaluated personality variables, transactional variables, and current mental quality of life. Structural equation modeling was used. The transactional proposed model was able to account for long-term mental health variance in both groups but was more relevant to women with breast cancer.

KEYWORDS:

• mental quality of life
• breast cancer
• transactional model of stress
• comparison group

Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by grants from the Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer [French Cancer League]. Sophie Lelorain is now affiliated with University of Paris Descartes, Department of Psychology, Paris, France, and with Curie Institute, Unit of Onco-psychology, Paris, France.