Socio-demographic and psychological factors associated with quality of life of women undergoing chemotherapy treatment for gynecological cancer

Abstract

Abstract Purpose This research aimed to investigate the socio-demographic, clinical, and psychological variables predictive of a greater functioning and quality of life in patients with gynecological cancer after their first cycle of carboplatin and taxol-based chemotherapy. Methods The sample of the present research consisted of 104 patients. The European Organization on Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form Y, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were administered to each participant. Results The analyses showed that higher state anxiety levels predicted a lower role, emotional, and social functioning and a lower general quality of life. Higher trait anxiety levels and social support perceived from one’s friends predicted a greater role functioning. Similarly, having a relationship predicted a greater physical, cognitive, and social functioning. On the contrary, the presence of relapsed cancer was negatively associated with these patients’ quality of life. Conclusions The present study highlighted the importance of identifying patients at higher risk of experiencing lower levels of functioning and worse general quality of life to implement tailored interventions from the beginning of treatment, thus improving the quality of life of these patients throughout the chemotherapy treatment.