Moderating role of Resilience on association of Emotional Functioning with Depression among Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Diagnosis and treatment of cancer is significantly associated with depression. Emotional functioning and resilience are coping resources of psychological distress. The study aimed to identify the prevalence of depression and to examine whether or not resilience moderates the association of Emotional functioning with depression in breast cancer patients. A total of 99 breast cancer patients who were registered at Surgical oncology unit, SS Hospital, BHU, India completed DASS Scale, EORTC QLQ C30 Scale, and Connor Davidson resilience scale. As being a part of a larger study going on at Institute of Medical sciences, BHU, India, only scores on Depression dimension from DASS scale and emotional functioning dimension of EORTC QLQ C30 scale were taken for the present study. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 69% while approx 58% patients suffered from mild to moderate level of depression. Resilience, emotional functioning and their interaction were significantly associated with depression. Resilience significantly moderated the association of emotional functioning with depression among breast cancer patients (B=0.57, β=.196, p<.05).It was concluded thatthere was a high prevalence of depression in breast cancer patients. Resilience could moderate the association of emotional functioning with depression. Adequate emotional functioning and resilience based interventions should be provided to alleviate psychological distress.