The predictive effect of health anxiety on the resilience of women undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Abstract

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a life-saving treatment that poses significant psychological and physical challenges for women. Health anxiety, often heightened during this process, may influence their ability to adapt and maintain resilience. This study aims to examine the predictive effect of health anxiety on the resilience of women who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on 72 woman undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation referred to hematology and oncology clinic of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Connor-Davidson's Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Health Anxiety Inventory was used for data collection. SPSS using regression linear analysis was used for analysis the data. Results: The results of this study indicated that the mean score of health anxiety was 26.62 (SD=9.99) and it was in mild level. The mean score of resilience was 64.90 (SD=13.92), and it was in moderate level. Regression linear analysis showed that health anxiety predicted resilience of woman undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (=-0.57, t=-5.84, p<0.001, 95%CI=-1.06 to -0.52). Conclusion: The findings revealed that women who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation experienced mild levels of health anxiety and moderate levels of resilience. Health anxiety was found to be a significant negative predictor of resilience, indicating that higher health anxiety is associated with lower resilience. These results highlight the importance of psychological support interventions to reduce health anxiety and strengthen resilience in this patient population.