Spousal support and illness acceptance in breast cancer patients: the mediating function of meaning in life and sense of coherence

Abstract

The explanation as to why married cancer patients are characterised by better adjustment to illness than unmarried patients is not fully understood. This article aims to investigate a parallel mediation effect of meaning in life and sense of coherence in the relationship of spousal support and illness acceptance in breast cancer patients. A total of 213 wo­men were included in this study. The Berlin Social Support Scales, the Personal Meaning Profile, the Sense of Coherence Scale, and the Acceptance of Life with the Disease Scale were used. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and mediation analysis were performed. The results showed significant correlations between spousal support, meaning in life, sense of coherence, and illness acceptance. Except for protective buffering support, meaning in life mediated spousal supports’ effect on illness acceptance. A sense of coherence mediated the relationship of perceived available support, actually received support, and protective buffering support in terms of illness acceptance. Meaning-based resources play a significant role in accepting the detrimental mental and physical consequences of breast cancer. Therefore, practitioners can incorporate these resources into rehabilitation programmes to improve adjustment to cancer.