Relationship Between Posttraumatic Growth and Illness Uncertainty in Young Women With Breast Cancer: The Mediating Role of Self-compassion.

Background: The recovery process for young women with breast cancer is influenced by several factors, including the uncertainty of disease, posttraumatic growth, and self-compassion.

Objective: To examine the association between illness uncertainty and posttraumatic growth in young women with breast cancer and to determine the mediating role of self-compassion in this association.

Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational study was conducted in Western Turkey between September 2023 and December 2023. Data were collected from 153 young women with breast cancer using the demographic and clinical questionnaire, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale-Community, and the Self-compassion Scale.

Results: Posttraumatic growth was negatively correlated with illness uncertainty ( r = -0.304, P < .001) and positively correlated with self-compassion ( r = 0.581, P < .001). Illness uncertainty negatively predicted posttraumatic growth ( P < .001), whereas self-compassion positively predicted posttraumatic growth ( P < .001). When self-compassion was included in the model, the effect of illness uncertainty on posttraumatic growth became insignificant ( P > .05).

Conclusion: Results of the study indicate that self-compassion has a fully mediating effect on the relationship between illness uncertainty and posttraumatic growth in young women with breast cancer.

Implications for practice: Psychosocial care of young women with breast cancer by oncology nurses can significantly improve self-compassion, reduce illness uncertainty, and promote posttraumatic growth.