The role of alexithymia on psychological resilience in women with breast cancer

Abstract

Objectives:This study aimed to examine the role of alexithymiaon psychological resilience and related variablesin women with breast cancer. Methods: In this descriptive study, 70 women with breast cancer who apply to amedicaloncology out patient between June 2019 February 2020 werei ncluded.9-questions question naire was used to determine the sociodemographic and cancer related chracteristic soft heparticipants.The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Psychological Resilience Scale(PRS)were used to determineperceived social support, alexithymia and psychological resilience levels. Descriptive statistics,correlations,ANOVAandt-testwere used for data analysis. Results:The MSPSS(20.07 10.54)and TAS-20 were foundlow (47.71 11.96)and PRS were high(132.24 16.47).Anegative, weak, significant relationship was found between the alexithymia (r=-0.370,p=0.02)and perceived social support(r=-0.496,p=0.01) with psychological resilience.There was no significant difference between the psychological resilience and age,education level,marital status,having children,profession, employment status,duration of illness,type of treatment,having metastases,and becoming caregiver(p>0.05). Conclusions:The psychological resilience of women with breast cancer was negatively related to their alexithymia and perceived social support levels. It indicatest hat being able torecognize the emotion sand having social support systems would positively affect there covery process.