Mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between psychological flexibility and psychological well-being in women with breast cancer

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have investigated the relationship between psychological flexibility and psychological well-being among university students. In addition to examining the relationship between these two variables, this study enhances our understanding about the process underlying the relationship between psychological flexibility and psychological well-being among women with breast cancer. The aim of the present study was to test the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between psychological flexibility and psychological well-being among Iranian women with breast cancer. Methods: The participants of this study, 220 women with breast cancer (ages 28 to 58 years, mean age: 42.16, SD: ±6.9.54) from three hospitals, in Tehran, Iran completed questionnaires about psychological flexibility, self-compassion and psychological well-being. Results: The results from structural equation modeling indicated that psychological flexibility and self-compassion positively predicted psychological well-being and psychological inflexibility negatively predicted psychological well-being among breast cancer patients. The findings from mediation analysis demonstrated that self-compassion partially mediated the relationships between psychological flexibility and psychological inflexibility with psychological well-being. The present study brings to light an underlying mechanism of the relationships between psychological flexibility and psychological inflexibility with psychological well-being via the mediating variable of self-compassion for patients with breast cancer.

The Effect of Self-compassion, Spousal Support and Selected Factors on Psychological Well-being in Women With Breast Cancer

“…27 Psychological Well-being Levels and Affecting Factors in the Women diagnosed as Breast Cancer Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of cancer and side-effects of its treatment cause individuals to experience stress and disruption of functional capacity and psychological well-being. 17,28 Since the diagnosis of cancer is regarded as one of the most stressful events of life, psychological well-being of individuals living with cancer is of particular importance. Therefore, it is recommended that psychological well-being levels of individuals diagnosed as cancer should be regularly evaluated.…”

“…They suggested that psychological exibility can foster self-compassion and ensure higher psychological well-being. 17 It is pointed out in the literature that spousal support is important for women with breast cancer to cope with and adapt to the disease psychologically and to reduce diagnosis-related psychological problems. 26 Krok and Telka reported a signi cant connection between spousal support and accepting the diagnosis of breast cancer and psychological well-being.…”

“…13,14 Considering the abovementioned information and the fact that cancer is one of the most stressful conditions, it is clear that psychological well-being of the women diagnosed as breast cancer should be improved to help them cope with adverse effects of the diagnosis. [14][15][16] Although there have been studies individually focusing on self-compassion, spousal support and psychological well-being in individuals with breast cancer, [17][18][19] there have not been any studies about the effects of self-compassion, spousal support and selected factors on psychological well-being in women diagnosed as breast cancer. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the impact of selfcompassion, spousal support and selected factors on psychological well-being in women having the diagnosis of breast cancer.…”