Effect of Psychological Distress, Spirituality and Nutritional Status on Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Breast cancer burden may contribute to increased psychological distress and its impact on quality of life not overlooked. This study aimed to examine the effect of psychological distress, spirituality and nutritional status on quality of life among women with breast cancer. The descriptive survey research design was employed for the study. One hundred and one breast cancer patients were recruited using the simple random sampling technique from Peace and Love Hospital, Kumasi and Sweden Ghana Medical Centre, Accra to complete the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, FACIT-Sp-12, Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and World Health Organization Quality of life- BREF scale. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical approaches. The findings revealed that psychological distress is a significant predictor of quality of life among breast cancer patients, spirituality is a significant predictor of quality of life among breast cancer patients, nutritional status has a significant effect on quality of life among breast cancer patients, also psychological distress, spirituality, and nutritional status mutually affect quality of life among breast cancer patients’ and finally spirituality does not significantly moderate the relationship between psychological distress and quality of life. The study recommends that, patient centered care approach could ease the psychological distress of breast cancer patients, also screening for nutritional status and spirituality at the time of diagnosis should be considered to help health professionals provide holistic healthcare delivery.