Relationships among current alexithymia, social relational quality and quality of life in breast cancer patients after chemotherapy

Abstract

Objective To investigate the relationships among current alexithymia, social relational quality and quality of life in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods By convenient sampling method, from April 2015 to September 2016, totally 151 patients were invited to complete demographic questionnaire, Toronto alexithymia scale, social relational quality scale and functional assessment of cancer therapy-breast. The Pearson correlation method was used to analyze the relationship among current alexithymia, social relational quality and quality of life. Results All of the patients got the average score (59.11±15.75) on Toronto alexithymia scale, which was moderate level. The total scores of social relational quality and life quality were (53.45±5.13) and (93.84±15.17) . There was a negative relationship between alexithymia with social relational quality (r=-0.441) and quality of life (r=-0.597) (P<0.05) . Conclusions Breast cancer patients has serious alexithymia after the operation. Nurses can carry out activities which gives patients more opportunities to express emotion, encourage patients to face difficulties and challenges, communicate with others actively, and get more support from others and encourage family members participate in the patient care process to reduce alexithymia and improve quality of life. Key words: Breast neoplasms; Antineoplastic combined chemotherapy protocols; Quality of life; Alexithymia; Social relational quality