The Relationship between Optimism, Hope, and Quality of Life among Women with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Introduction & Aim: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide. Diagnosis and treatment of this cancer can have significant effects on various aspects of the patients’ lives such as physical, psychological, social, and quality of life. Therefore, it is very important to take measures for decreasing psychological problems and increasing the quality of life among these patients. Hence, the present study aims to explore the relationship between optimism and hopefulness, in one hand, and the quality of life, in the other hand, among women with breast cancer. Method: The study was descriptive cross-sectional with a correlational design. The statistical population of the study included all women with breast cancer referring to Seyedoshohada Hospital, Isfahan, for treatment. Ninety-seven women with breast cancer were selected through random sampling. The data collection instruments were cancer patient Quality of life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ- C30. V. 3), Life Orientation Test (LOT) and Snyder Hope Scale. Moreover, the demographic information of the participants was sought. Results: The average age of the participants was 45. 17±9. 55. The mean of the patients’ hopefulness, optimism, and quality of life were 20. 15±4. 50, 32. 95±6. 78, and 63. 74±19. 20, respectively. The results indicated that there is a statistically significant relationship between the quality of life and hope (r=. 45, p<. 01) and optimism (r=. 26, p<. 01). Conclusion: The findings revealed that hope and optimism lead to higher quality of life among women with breast cancer. Therefore, along with medical treatments, making interventions for enhancing hope and optimism is absolutely necessary, which can improve their quality of life.