Psychological Capital And Illness Perception As Predictors Of Health-Related Quality Of Life Of Patients With Breast Cancer

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine how illness perception and psychological capital predict health-related quality of life among breast cancer patients. Using the convenient sampling technique, 105 breast cancer patients from the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital participated in this study. Participants answered a 44-item questionnaire that measured health-related quality of life, illness perception and psychological capital. The study found that, generally breast cancer patients have good physical and mental health-related quality of life. It was also revealed that most of the breast cancer patients have low level of psychological capital and moderate (negative) threatening illness perception. There was an association between illness perception and psychological capital. Additionally, illness perception is not a significant predictor of physical and mental health quality of life. Psychological capital predicted health-related quality of life. It was concluded that breast cancer patients are likely to develop psychological and emotional problems and this affects their quality of life. It was recommended that intervention programmes be made available for breast cancer patients to boost their psychological capital and quality of life.