Association between Perceived Control and Quality of Life among Patients with Breast Cancer: Structural Equation Analysis

Objective. Perceived control refers to an individual’s subjective perception, affective experience, or cognitive beliefs regarding their level of control. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived control and quality of life (QoL) among breast cancer (BC) patients using a structural equation model. Method. Participants (N = 80) completed questionnaire surveys on perceived control and QoL using the Cancer Experience and Efficacy Scale (CEES) and the Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30 V3.0), respectively. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the associations between perceived control factors, including cancer experience and control efficacy, and QoL. Results. The QoL in BC patients was found to be significantly negatively correlated with physical symptoms, accounting for 51.6%. This indicates that the QoL of patients decreased by 51.6% with each unit increase in physical symptoms. In terms of perceived control among BC patients, socioeconomic strain exerted the greatest influence on cancer experience, accounting for 44.3%, followed by emotional strain and personal strain at 40.08% and 34.6%, respectively. Group efficacy had the highest impact on control efficacy at 43.0%, followed by individual efficacy and medical efficacy at 41.8% and 29.7%, respectively. QoL in BC patients decreased by 4.2% with every unit increase in cancer experience but improved by 3.5% with every unit increase in control efficacy. Conclusion. The structural equation model facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the interrelationships among various variables in perceived control and QoL among BC patients. The cancer experience in perceived control is negatively correlated with the QoL, whereas control efficiency demonstrates a positive correlation with QoL. Consequently, healthcare professionals should implement appropriate interventions to alleviate physical symptoms and enhance control efficiency, thereby improving both perceived control and QoL levels among BC patients. This trial is registered with ChiCTR2300069476.