Idiosyncratic Profile of Perceived Emotional Intelligence and Post-Traumatic Growth in Breast Cancer Survivors: Findings of a Multiple Mediation Model

Abstract

Psycho-oncology research suggests that positive personal changes can occur after experiencing breast cancer. These changes can be understood as post-traumatic growth (PTG) and seem to be determined by emotional self-efficacy perception. This study aims to investigate the existence of different profiles of PTG and perceived emotional intelligence (PEI) among breast cancer survivors (BCSs) and healthy controls. Moreover, it aims to study the mechanisms through which PEI may mediate the relationship between disease survival and PTG. The total sample was 636 women divided into two groups: 56 BCS and 580 healthy controls who completed TMMS-24 and PTGI. The results displayed that BCSs apparently show a different profile of PTG and PEI compared to healthy women. The mediation analyses showed that survivorship explained 1.9% of PTG, increasing to 26.5% by the effect of PEI. An indirect effect showed that cancer survival predicts reduced levels of emotional attention, decreasing PTG. However, the most statistical indirect effect evidenced that BCSs regulate their emotions appropriately, having a powerful effect on PTG and counteracting the negative effects of poor emotional attention. Knowing the implications of PEI on PTG could improve follow-up from the time of diagnosis and supporting the patient to cope with the sequelae of the disease.

Experiencing anxiety in breast cancer survival: Does perceived emotional intelligence matter?

“…Likewise, other studies report similar anxiety in BC survivors and healthy controls 7 . This finding may be related to studies indicating that BC women can emerge stronger despite this adversity 8,9 . Also, women free of this disease may also be facing other types of life crises that involve anxiety 10 …”

“…These profiles have been previously found in our previous studies related to posttraumatic growth in this oncology population. 9 However, it is difficult to compare with other research, since this is the first study to analyze them.…”

“…As a result of this research, we have published articles showing the indirect processes by which PEI mediates between BC survival and resilience, workability, post-traumatic growth, and depression. 8,9,36,37…”

“…women can emerge stronger despite this adversity. 8,9 Also, women free of this disease may also be facing other types of life crises that involve anxiety. 10 In BC women the experience of anxiety can be related to the stage of cancer, the type of medical treatment and its adverse effects, the changes in femininity and sexuality, uncertainty, coping, or fear of recurrence, among others.…”

“…This theoretical model has been tested in our previous research for workability, depression, resilience, and post-traumatic growth, finding that low or high levels of EA have shown an indirect negative impact by its effect on EC and ER, 8,9 since patients' ability to understand and repair emotions act as a protective factors. 8,9,36,37 We now replicate this model for anxiety.…”