Emotional functioning in long-term breast cancer survivors: A cross-sectional study on its influence and key predictors

Abstract Background/Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between emotional functioning and health status in long-term breast cancer survivors (LTBCSs). Additionally, it sought to identify factors that could influence emotional functioning in this population at least five years af...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Álvarez-Salvago, Francisco, Atienzar-Aroca, Sandra, Pujol-Fuentes, Clara, Figueroa-Mayordomo, María, Molina-García, Cristina, Gutiérrez-García, Palmira, Medina-Luque, Jose
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Ajuntament de Barcelona
Repositorio:RUJA. Repositorio Institucional de la Producción Científica de la Universidad de Jaén
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:ruja________::462d6ae9976e88ba28f8778607f2fcc4
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10953/7736
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:breast cancer
emotional functioning
health-related quality of life
long-term survivorship
psychological distress
616-006.04:618.19-036.8:159.942:613.98
Descripción
Sumario:Abstract Background/Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between emotional functioning and health status in long-term breast cancer survivors (LTBCSs). Additionally, it sought to identify factors that could influence emotional functioning in this population at least five years after cancer diagnosis. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 80 LTBCSs, classified into the following two groups, according to their emotional functioning: those experiencing psychological distress (≤90) and those with satisfactory psychological well-being (≥91). The study examined various factors at least five years post-diagnosis, including sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), mood state, self-perceived physical fitness, physical activity (PA) level, pain, and cancer-related fatigue (CRF). ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U, and Chi-square tests were conducted, along with correlation and multiple regression analysis. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen's d. Results: Among the 80 LTBCSs, 47.50% reported psychological distress, while 52.50% maintained satisfactory psychological well-being. Participants in the psychological distress group exhibited significantly poorer HRQoL, lower mood, and reduced self-perceived physical fitness, as well as higher levels of physical inactivity, pain, and CRF (p < 0.05). Regression analysis revealed that "role functioning" (β = 0.59; p < 0.01), "cognitive functioning" (β = 0.26; p < 0.01), "self-perceived physical fitness" (β = 0.20; p = 0.02), and "sadness-depression" (β = 0.18; p = 0.04) were significant predictors of emotional functioning (r2 adjusted = 0.642). Conclusions: These results emphasize the association between emotional functioning and health status in LTBCSs. Role functioning, cognitive functioning, self-perceived physical fitness, and mood state were identified as relevant factors influencing emotional well-being in this population. Considering these relationships, integrating psychological and physical assessments into survivorship care could support the early detection of at-risk individuals. This approach could also guide interventions to improve their long-term well-being and HRQoL. Keywords: breast cancer; emotional functioning; health-related quality of life; long-term survivorship; psychological distress.