Quality of working life can protect against cognitive and emotional vulnerability in women living with metastatic breast cancer: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Purpose Research focusing on the cognitive and emotional health of women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is limited. The focal aim of the current study was to explore how quality of working life was related to global health, perceived cognitive function, anxiety and depression. To this end, women’s experience of employers after MBC diagnosis and its relationship to quality of working life was also explored. Methods Women living with MBC ( N = 88) completed online questionnaires assessing their global health status, perceived cognitive and emotional vulnerability and their experience of employers following diagnosis. Women working at the time of the study also reported on their quality of working life. Results Women’s experience of employers after MBC diagnosis was positively related to their quality of working life. Importantly, greater quality of working life met with better perceived cognitive function and global health, as well as lower levels of depression in working women. Conclusions Our study is the first to establish the role of quality of working life in protecting against levels of cognitive vulnerability and emotional vulnerability to depression in women with MBC. We also highlight the importance of having a positive experience with employers. Our findings suggest that educational programmes can be provided to employers to enhance their understanding and awareness of the needs of women with MBC. Implications for Cancer Survivors Women with MBC may benefit from employers accessing educational (or support) programmes that can increase their awareness of the treatment-related sequelae and needs of women with MBC in the workplace. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11764-022-01169-0.

Factors associated with distress among female cancer survivors at the workplace: A cross-sectional study

“…This is partially similar to the results of previous studies, 23,25 suggesting that the ‘request for spirituality’ identified in the treatment and recovery process of cancer patients can overcome the distress experienced by female cancer survivors at work and further positively influence the quality of life 16,23,24,38 . First of all, increasing the existential well‐being of one's existence and the value of life through successful return to work can restore self‐esteem due to cancer diagnosis and treatment, disconnection of social relations, and reduce distress through trust, peace, and hope 3,7,21 . Therefore, female cancer survivors at workplace need environmental and institutional support such as intervention programs that can increase spirituality in the workplace identified as positive factors for job stress and job satisfaction of female cancer survivors should be developed and applied 6,16 .…”

“…Second, since the convenience sampling method was used, and the participants were in Daegu, the sample was not fully representative of all regions and all working female cancer survivors in South Korea. Even the sample size for this study was satisfactory, as the number was based on the G‐power program calculation, with a similar size compared to previous studies, 15,21,35,37 large scale studies with longitudinal design and randomized sampling methods should be conducted in the future to generalize the results.…”

“…16,23,24,38 First of all, increasing the existential well-being of one's existence and the value of life through successful return to work can restore selfesteem due to cancer diagnosis and treatment, disconnection of social relations, and reduce distress through trust, peace, and hope. 3,7,21 Therefore, female cancer survivors at workplace need environmental and institutional support such as intervention programs that can increase spirituality in the workplace identified as positive factors for job stress and job satisfaction of female cancer survivors should be developed and applied. 6,16 In addition, it is necessary also to change the perception of colleagues and superiors of the organization and provide practical .001…”

“…The lack of awareness of cancer and emotional support from supervisors and colleagues at work poses physical and emotional challenges, which then affect job turnover 6,14,15 . Specifically, experiences of social support, such as interest, trust, encouragement, and provision of information by supervisors and colleagues, can help decrease symptoms of distress, such as depression and anxiety 21 . Furthermore, it can contribute to female cancer survivors' successful workplace re‐adaptation and job retention 6,20,22 .…”

“…6,14,15 Specifically, experiences of social support, such as interest, trust, encouragement, and provision of information by supervisors and colleagues, can help decrease symptoms of distress, such as depression and anxiety. 21 Furthermore, it can contribute to female cancer survivors' successful workplace re-adaptation and job retention. 6,20,22 Since cancer has a continuous influence throughout life, cancer survivors go through a high-distress crisis situation and become interested in existential and spiritual problems.…”