Estimation of a Structural Equation Modeling of Quality of Life Mediated by Difficulty in Daily Life in Survivors of Breast Cancer

Background: The purpose of this study was to clarify the structural relationship of quality of life (QOL) in survivors of breast cancer, including difficulty in daily life and negative experiences in daily activities, as health-related indicators.

Methods: Participants were survivors of breast cancer for more than 2 years after primary breast cancer surgery and belonged to self-help groups. The assessment used FACT-B (QOL), HADS (anxiety and depression), SOC (sense of coherence), WHODAS 2.0 (difficulties in daily life), and CAOD (negative experiences in daily activities). Bayesian structural equation modeling (BSEM) was performed to analyze the hypothesized model. If the causal model was significant, multiplication of the path coefficient from emotional distress (anxiety and depression) to QOL, and from SOC to emotional distress, was considered a direct effect on QOL, and from SOC to difficulty in daily life, from difficulty in daily life to negative experiences in daily activities, and from negative experiences in daily activities to anxiety and depression were considered indirect effects on QOL.

Results: The participants comprised 73 survivors of breast cancer. The goodness of fit of the model in the BSEM was satisfactory. The direct effect was 0.274, and the indirect effect was 0.164.

Conclusions: An additional finding of this study is that coping with difficulty in daily life and negative experiences in daily activities related to QOL may improve QOL.