Predicting the Immune System Performance Based on Stress Coping Strategies and Defense Mechanisms in Women With Breast Cancer

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Breast cancer, as the most common cancer, is the cause of death in many women around the world. This study aims to predict the immune system performance based on stress coping methods and defense mechanisms in women with breast cancer. Methods: The study population includs all women with breast cancer in Tehran and Guilan provinces of Iran in 2019, from whom 250 were selected by a purposive sampling method. Data were collected using the warning signs of immunodeficiency list, the Defense Style Questionnaire, and the Multidimensional Coping Inventory. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson correlation test and multiple regression analysis in SPSS software, version 22. Results: The results of regression analysis showed that the emotion-focused coping as well as mature, neurotic, and immature defense mechanisms could significantly predict the immune system performance (P<0.05). Together, these variables were able to explain 28% of the variance in the immune performance. Conclusion: In women with breast cancer, the immune system function can be predicted by their used defense mechanisms and stress coping strategies.