Open Access

ARTICLE

Research on the Association between Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Young Breast Cancer Patients and Adult Attachment and Self-Disclosure

by Huimin Zheng, Minghui Wang^*, Miao Ye

Department of Breast Cancer Surgery, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, The Affliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing, 210009, China

* Corresponding Author: Minghui Wang. Email:

Psycho-Oncologie 2024, 18(3), 169-179. https://doi.org/10.32604/po.2024.052703

Received 11 April 2024; Accepted 01 July 2024; Issue published 12 September 2024

Abstract

Background: Although fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is the most important factor affecting the life quality of young breast cancer patients, and it may be affected by the patient’s personality, marital relationship and communication, there is a lack of research on the relationship between adult attachment, self-disclosure and FCR in patients. This study investigated the current situation of FCR in young breast cancer patients, its correlation with adult attachment and self-disclosure and its influencing factors, in order to predict the impact of adult attachment and self-disclosure of patients to spouse on FCR. Methods: A survey was conducted on 126 breast cancer patients at our hospital using the General Information Questionnaire (GIQ), Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), Experiences in Close Relationships inventory (ECR), and Distress Disclosure Index (DDI). The study analyzed the status of FCR among young breast cancer patients and its correlation with adult attachment and self-disclosure, along with its influencing factors. Results: Among the 126 young breast cancer patients, 50 had a FoP-Q-SF score <34 (normal group), while 76 had a FoP-Q-SF score ≥34 (FCR positive group), with an FCR incidence rate of 60.32%. Univariate analysis showed statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of FoP-Q-SF score, ECR score, attachment anxiety score, attachment avoidance score, DDI score, age, educational level, employment status, per capita monthly income, and treatment method (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that FoP-Q-SF scores were positively correlated with attachment anxiety score, attachment avoidance score, ECR scores and negatively correlated with DDI scores (p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis indicated that age, per capita monthly income, treatment method, attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance and self-disclosure level were negative predictors of FoP-Q-SF scores in young breast cancer patients (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The incidence rate of FCR among young breast cancer patients is high. There is a positive correlation between adult attachment and the level of FCR, and a negative correlation between the level of self-disclosure and FCR. Patients with lower per capita monthly income, more complex treatment methods, higher level of attachment anxiety, higher level of attachment avoidance and lower DDI scores had higher FoP-Q-SF scores.

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