Characteristics of psychological resilience and body image in women in the early and late periods after mastectomy

Authors

  • Bernadetta Izydorczyk Jagiellonian University
  • Anna Kwapniewska Jagiellonian University
  • Sebastian Lizińczyk SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Katarzyna Sitnik-Warchulska Jagiellonian University

Keywords:

resilience, body image in post-mastectomy women, adaptation to restore balance after mastectomy

Abstract

Background

European statistics confirm a rise in breast cancer among women. Those suffering from breast cancer and undergoing mastectomy are undoubtedly experiencing a range of negative and/or positive emotions, thoughts and behaviours that depend on many factors such as psychological resilience. The study reported here aimed to identify factors that protect body image resilience in women suffering from breast cancer after mastectomy.

Participants and procedure

The research group comprised 120 women after either a short (up to 2 years) or a long (over 2 years) time since mastectomy. Three scales were applied, namely the Resilience Measurement Scale (SPP-25) developed by Juczyński and Ogińska-Bulik to measure the variability of psychological resilience, the Body Attitude Test (BAT) developed by Probst, and others (Polish version by Brytek-Matera), and Probst’s Body Self Questionnaire developed by Mirucka for the measurement of the body image.

Results

Post-mastectomy patients proved to have a significantly poorer self-assessment of the body, more restrictive eating behaviours and weight control employed with the aim to improve their appearance. Women just after mastectomy, seemed more focused on mobilising their resources necessary to adapt to new conditions and to restore balance after the difficult experience compared to women who had undergone mastectomy over 2 years before the study. The former are characterised by a higher degree of psychological resilience, higher perseverance and determination in action. They also better cope with experienced failure and negative emotions, which indicates that they have a greater capacity to detach from difficult situations.

Conclusions

The greater mobilisation of resources necessary to adapt to new conditions and to restore balance after a difficult experience require consideration and application of psychological support from the very beginning of treatment. For this reason, psychological counselling and work on strengthening resilience among women after mastectomy are indicated.

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Published

2019-03-07

How to Cite

Izydorczyk, B. ., Kwapniewska, A. ., Lizińczyk, S. ., & Sitnik-Warchulska, K. (2019). Characteristics of psychological resilience and body image in women in the early and late periods after mastectomy. Health Psychology Report, 7(1), 32–47. Retrieved from https://czasopisma.bg.ug.edu.pl/index.php/HPR/article/view/7922

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