Financial toxicity, family resilience and negative emotions among young and middle-aged breast cancer patients: A multicentre cross-sectional study

Purpose

To determine financial toxicity in young and middle-aged women with breast cancer and examine the associations between family resilience and negative emotions.

Methods

A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted, 538 women with breast cancer were recruited from four hospitals. FT, family resilience, and negative emotions were collected using the Comprehensive Score for FT, the Chinese version of the Family Resilience Assessment in Breast Cancer Patients, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. This study adhered to the STROBE guidelines.

Results

The valid response rate was 96.8 % (N = 521). Overall, the score for FT was 19.63 ± 10.13. FT was significantly correlated with family resilience (r = 0.30, p < 0.010) and depression (r = −0.11, p < 0.050). The hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis showed that career status, monthly income, religion, and family resilience were the main factors influencing FT in patients with breast cancer (R² = 0.37; F = 6.83; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

FT was more prevalent among women from low-income career. Women with poor family resilience, no religious also suffer greater financial toxicity. It is necessary to pay more attention of the financial toxicity of female’ low-income career, no religious belief and poor family resilience. Developing effective interventions based on family resilience might be helpful in promoting their well-being.