Introduction: Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer is traumatic for both
patients and their relatives. It is crucial to understand the factors that enhance the
psychological resilience of breast cancer survivors. This study aims to investigate
posttraumatic growth following breast cancer and its relationship with psychiatric
disorders, social support, and stigma.
Methods: The study included 100 female breast cancer patients and 100 relatives.
Patients underwent a DSM-5-based structured psychiatric interview and were
assessed with the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the Hospital Anxiety-
Depression Scale (HADS), the Cancer Patient Perceived Social Support Scale
(CPPSSS), and Cancer-related Attitudes Measurement Questionnaire (CRAMQ)-
patient version. The patient’s relatives were administered the PTGI, HADS, and
CRAMQ-community versions.
Results: Psychiatric disorders were diagnosed in 40% of individuals with breast
cancer, most commonly major depressive disorder (22%). Posttraumatic growth
demonstrated a negative correlation with age and a positive association with being
employed. The presence of psychiatric disorders and elevated anxiety levels are
associated with reduced personal growth. Perceived emotional/confidence social
support were associated with increased growth. A subscale of stigma ‘impossibility
of recovery’ , led to a positive shift in life philosophy and interpersonal relationships.
Additionally, both patients’ age and the level of growth in their relatives were found
to predict posttraumatic growth in the patients (B=-0.499, p=0.021; B=0.211,
p=0.044, logistic regression).
Conclusion: Posttraumatic growth is negatively associated with age and the
presence of a psychiatric disorder, and positively associated with employment
and social support. Additionally, relatives’ posttraumatic growth and patients’
age predict posttraumatic growth in patients. Stigmatising the perception of
“impossibility of recovery” is associated with positive psychological change,
possibly reflecting a more traumatic perception of the cancer diagnosis, a reduction
in denial, and increased acceptance of the illness. This acceptance of mortality may
lead to deeper personal transformation for a more meaningful life and improved
interpersonal relationships.
Keywords: Anxiety, breast cancer, depression, posttraumatic growth, social
support, social stigma