Subjective well-being among Iranian breast cancer patients: Exploring the influential role of psychological capital

Abstract

Purpose Breast cancer is a prevalent and emotionally challenging condition that profoundly affects women worldwide. Effectively managing the mental and emotional dimensions of this disease is crucial for the holistic well-being of patients. Psychological capital (PsyCap) has emerged as a pivotal psychological construct with the potential to effectively address these challenges. This study aims to explore the influential role of PsyCap and its constructs on the subjective well-being (SWB) of Iranian breast cancer patients. Methods A total of 173 breast cancer patients participated in this study, selected through a random sampling approach. Face-to-face interview data on socio-demographics, PsyCap, and SWB were collected using a structured questionnaire. The analytical procedures encompassed independent sample t-tests, ANOVA tests, Pearson correlation tests, and stepwise multiple regression. Results The findings revealed that the majority of participants fell within the 41–50 age group (38.7%), with an average age of 46.50 ± 11.76 years, and 35.8% had tumor growth in the upper left lobe. The average PsyCap score was 107.93 ± 1.52 (out of a possible score of 144), whereas SWB scored 196.51 ± 1.90 (out of 291). Notably, PsyCap showed a positive correlation with SWB (r = 0.119), accounting for approximately 8% of the variance in SWB. The final regression model showed the substantial predictive roles of PsyCap (1.667), self-efficacy (−3.692), age (−2.977), and education (−3.939) in shaping SWB. Conclusions Focusing on understanding and addressing factors like PsyCap, self-efficacy, and educational support could improve SWB, offering a potential avenue for comprehensive and individualized psychosocial care for women with breast cancer.