Predicting post-traumatic growth inventory (PTGI) based on the perceived social support; the mediating role of resilience in women with breast cancer: A structural equation modeling approach

Background and Objective: Experience of life-threatening illnesses such as cancer leads to the comprehension of its positive outcomes along with its negative consequences. This study aimed to predict the post-traumatic growth inventory based on perceived social support mediated by resilience in women with breast cancer using a structural equation approach. Materials and Methods: This correlational study with a descriptive-analytic design was conducted using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory. Two hundred women with breast cancer were enrolled using convenience sampling. The participants had visited Imam Hossein Hospital in Tehran (n=62) and Imam Ali Complex of the Alborz University of Medical Sciences (n=138) 6 months after their surgery from April to September 2019. Results: Social support had a significant effect on resilience (P<0.05). In addition, resilience had a significant effect on post-traumatic growth (P<0.05). Results showed the significant indirect effect of social support on post-traumatic growth through resilience (P<0.05). The coefficient of determination indicated that social support alone explained 15.2% of the variance observed in resilience. The coefficient of determination was 56.3 for post-traumatic growth. Therefore, resilience and social support together explained 56.3% of the variance in post-traumatic growth where resilience had a greater contribution compared to social support (a larger beta coefficient). Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, perceived social support affects post-traumatic growth with the mediating role of resilience in patients with breast cancer. Therefore, strengthening social support and resilience can play an effective role in post-traumatic growth.