The Role of Psychological Hardiness and Marital Satisfaction in Predicting Posttraumatic Growth in a Sample of Women With Breast Cancer in Isfahan

Abstract

BackgroundPosttraumatic growth (PTG) refers to positive psychological change experienced as a result of the struggle with highly challenging life circumstances. PTG in cancer survivors is related to several psychosocial factors such as psychological hardiness and marital satisfaction.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine the prediction of posttraumatic growth based on psychological hardiness and marital satisfaction.Patients and MethodsA total of 120 women with breast cancer were recruited from several hospitals in Isfahan using convenience sampling. Participants completed the research questionnaires including the posttraumatic growth inventory (PTGI), the Ahvaz psychological hardiness scale and the Enrich’s marital satisfaction scale (EMS). Statistical analysis including means, standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analysis were carried out using SPSS software (version 16).ResultsResults indicated that the majority of patients with cancer experienced posttraumatic growth. Findings also showed that psychological hardiness, marital satisfaction and longer time since diagnosis of cancer significantly predicted posttraumatic growth.ConclusionsThis study highlights the significant role of psychological hardiness and marital support in personal growth of breast cancer survivors.

Relationship Between Posttraumatic Growth and Meaning in Life Among Patients with Myocardial Infarction

“…Contrary to the present study, Rahimi and Heidarzadeh (13) study in patients with myocardial infarction and Heidarzadeh et al (34) study in cancer patients reported the highest growth in the domain of spiritual change and the least growth in the domain of new possibilities. On the other hand, Aflakseir et al (39) in women with breast cancer and Teodorescu et al (40) in Norwegian immigrants concluded that the lowest posttraumatic growth was in the domain of new possibilities. The contradictory results of studies concerning the scores of different domains of posttraumatic growth in different events and societies can be reasonably expected due to differences in the type and quality of the experienced stress, cultural differences, religious teaching, and values of each society that requires further in deep examination using a qualitative approach.…”

The Relationship Between Psychological Hardiness and Social Support in Women With Breast Cancer

“…It has been demonstrated that patients with breast cancer are exposed to psychiatric symptoms and psychosocial issues, which may cause mental and social disorders affecting their lives [9][10][11]. Personality characteristics of women with breast cancer, like psychological hardiness, determine the side effects of stressful life events [11][12][13]. Psychological hardiness consists of three basic interrelated hypothetical components.…”

“…People with a high level of hardiness are possibly more capable of enduring the negative results of life stressors. Their resistance to illness likely results from perceiving life changes as less stressful events or from having more capacity to cope with life changes [13]. Hardiness has a positive relationship with mental welfare [16] associated with using the problem-oriented comparative strategies [17] and attention to positive events of life [12].…”

“…Hardiness has a positive relationship with mental welfare [16] associated with using the problem-oriented comparative strategies [17] and attention to positive events of life [12]. Moreover, Aflakseir et al highlighted the significant role of psychological hardiness and perceived social support in the personal growth of breast cancer survivors [13].…”

Hardiness and optimism in women with breast cancer

“…Among these, important personality characteristics such as hardiness and optimism can effectively deal with stress and prevent disease. [ 8 9 ] Hardiness is defined as a combination of beliefs about self and the world, which comprises three components of commitment, control, and militancy. [ 10 ] The concept of hardiness must not be summarized only in special forces for withstanding a lot of stress.…”