Perceived Spousal Support and Quality of Life of Nigerian Women with Breast or Gynecological Cancer
Disciplines
Diseases | Gender and Sexuality | Medicine and Health | Oncology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Perceived spousal support is crucial in influencing the quality of life (QoL) of women with cancer. Despite its importance, limited studies have explored the impact of spousal support on the QoL of Nigerian women with breast and gynecologic cancers. This study aimed to examine the effects of perceived spousal support on the QoL among Nigerian women diagnosed with breast and gynecologic cancers. A cross-sectional survey was conducted online using Google Forms, involving 254 Nigerian women with breast and gynecologic cancers. Participants were recruited through cancer support groups, social media platforms, and hospital referrals. The Perceived Spousal Support Scale (PSSS) was used to measure perceived spousal support, while the City of Hope Quality of Life (QoL) Instrument assessed the QoL of participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses to determine the relationship between perceived spousal support and QoL. The mean age of participants was 47.8 ± 10.6 years, with 58% diagnosed with breast cancer and 42% with gynecologic cancers. The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between perceived spousal support and overall QoL (r = 0.49, p < 0.01). High levels of perceived spousal support were associated with better QoL scores in the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual domains of the City of Hope QoL Instrument. Multiple regression analysis showed that perceived spousal support was a significant predictor of QoL (β = 0.38, p < 0.01), accounting for 31% of the variance in QoL scores after controlling for age, cancer type, and treatment status. Perceived spousal support significantly enhances the QoL of Nigerian women with breast and gynecologic cancers. These findings underscore the need for interventions that strengthen spousal support systems to improve the QoL of women coping with cancer. Future studies should explore tailored approaches to engage spouses in the supportive care of cancer patients.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Nursing
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Chinomso Nwozichi
Perceived Spousal Support and Quality of Life of Nigerian Women with Breast or Gynecological Cancer
Perceived spousal support is crucial in influencing the quality of life (QoL) of women with cancer. Despite its importance, limited studies have explored the impact of spousal support on the QoL of Nigerian women with breast and gynecologic cancers. This study aimed to examine the effects of perceived spousal support on the QoL among Nigerian women diagnosed with breast and gynecologic cancers. A cross-sectional survey was conducted online using Google Forms, involving 254 Nigerian women with breast and gynecologic cancers. Participants were recruited through cancer support groups, social media platforms, and hospital referrals. The Perceived Spousal Support Scale (PSSS) was used to measure perceived spousal support, while the City of Hope Quality of Life (QoL) Instrument assessed the QoL of participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses to determine the relationship between perceived spousal support and QoL. The mean age of participants was 47.8 ± 10.6 years, with 58% diagnosed with breast cancer and 42% with gynecologic cancers. The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between perceived spousal support and overall QoL (r = 0.49, p < 0.01). High levels of perceived spousal support were associated with better QoL scores in the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual domains of the City of Hope QoL Instrument. Multiple regression analysis showed that perceived spousal support was a significant predictor of QoL (β = 0.38, p < 0.01), accounting for 31% of the variance in QoL scores after controlling for age, cancer type, and treatment status. Perceived spousal support significantly enhances the QoL of Nigerian women with breast and gynecologic cancers. These findings underscore the need for interventions that strengthen spousal support systems to improve the QoL of women coping with cancer. Future studies should explore tailored approaches to engage spouses in the supportive care of cancer patients.