Uncertainty, Self-efficacy, and Self-care Behavior in Patients With Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy in China. Issue 3 (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Yingzi; Kwekkeboom, Kristine; Petrini, Marcia
• Is Part Of: Cancer nursing. Volume 38:Issue 3(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Cancer -- Nursing -- Periodicals; 610.736
• DOI: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000000165
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0162-220X

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Background:</title> <p>Treatment for breast cancer causes uncertainty in the face of new and distressing experiences and often results in the need for self-care. Identifying how uncertainty influences self-care behavior is essential to design interventions that enhance self-care capacity and improve patient outcomes.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Objectives:</title> <p>The aims of this study were to describe the levels of uncertainty, self-efficacy, and self-care behavior in Chinese women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer and to determine if self-efficacy mediates the relationship between uncertainty and self-care behavior.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> <p>A cross-sectional descriptive correlational design was used. Ninety-seven participants completed the Generalized Self-efficacy Scale, the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, and the Appraisal of Self-care Agency Scale–Revised. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the levels of uncertainty, self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors in the sample. Multiple regression was used to test the mediating effect of self-efficacy in the relationship between uncertainty and self-care behavior.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> <p>Mean ratings of uncertainty (76.70), self-efficacy (27.15), and self-care behavior (53.96) all fell in the moderate range. Both uncertainty and self-efficacy independently predicted self-care behavior, explaining 18.2% of the variance, but self-efficacy did not mediate the relationship between uncertainty and self-care behavior.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions:</title> <p>Research is needed to further evaluate the proposed relationships using instruments specific to/related to cancer and evaluate change over time. Self-care interventions that have been efficacious in Western populations could be revised to assist Chinese women to reduce uncertainty and enhance self-efficacy in coping with breast cancer.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Implications for Practice:</title> <p>Self-care intervention programs should include strategies to reduce uncertainty and enhance self-efficacy in coping with breast cancer treatment.</p> </sec> </abstract>