Assessment of the relation between religiosity, mental health, and psychological resilience in breast cancer patients

Abstract

Aim of the study

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between religiosity, mental health, and psychological resilience in breast cancer patients.

Material and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in an oncology department of a hospital in northern Greece during February and March 2017. The sample consisted of 152 breast cancer patients. Data were collected with the following instruments: Patient Health Questionnaire two-item scale, Generalised Anxiety Disorder two-item scale, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 25, and Centrality of Religiosity Scale. Also, patients’ characteristics were included, specifically demographic, social, and clinical information. Statistical analyses were conducted with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences V25.

Results

According to our results, approximately 1 out of 3 patients had depression and anxiety. Also, the sample had moderate resilience and were moderately religious. Patients who were classified as end-stage cancer patients and those who underwent mastectomy found to be more religious. Religiosity correlated positively with the resilience, while no correlation was found with depression, anxiety, and symptom burden. Based on regression results, religious beliefs seem to be a predictive factor for resilience and resilience is a predictive factor for depression.

Conclusions

Our findings show that there was no association between religiosity and mental health, while a strong relation was highlighted between religious beliefs and psychological resilience. This study should constitute a starting point for further assessments regarding the fact that religiosity can provide social support that facilitates psychological adaption to illness and helps cancer patients to cope with their illness, which should be recognised by health care professionals.

Introduction

Breast cancer is a major health problem specially for women living in developed countries. It is estimated that it accounts for nearly 30% of total cancer incidence in USA and is the cause of 17% of all cancer deaths [1], and breast cancer is the most frequent cause of death for women aged from 35 to 45 years. In addition, in northern Europe and America, the incidence of breast cancer is around 100 cases per 100,000 women per year and the lifetime probability of illness is 1 in 9 [2].

To be diagnosed with breast cancer and undergo mastectomy and chemotherapy can induce a lot of stress. In addition, breast cancer patients can experience various mental health issues such as depression and anxiety [3]. Psychological resilience is the ability that a person has to protect him/herself and his/her mental health in times when dealing with life adversities, such a breast cancer diagnosis [4]. Over the years various ways have been suggested to approach and understand resilience. Literature argues that there is a personality trait that enables individuals to maintain mental health while experiencing life difficulties, while others suggest that resilience is an adapting mechanism that helps individuals to adapt to new situations and protect their mental health [4]. Nonetheless, resilience can be a valuable resource in coping with breast cancer; it is considered as a multidimensional process which contains among others a natural interaction of attributes [5].

Another psychosocial aspect often neglected during breast cancer care is religiosity, which has been recognised as a relevant factor in this group of patients [6]. Despite this assumption and the increasing research interest in the relationship of religiosity with psycho-cynic parameters in various diseases, this issue remains controversial. A recent cross-sectional study showed no association between religiosity and depression [7]. A similar finding was reported by other study with 200 individuals who were dealing with mood disorders. Particularly in the above-mentioned study, religiosity had only a minor impact on psychopathological symptoms, and only a significant negative correlation with suicidal ideation/behaviour emerged [8]. On the other hand, there are many studies suggesting that religion and spirituality can play an important role in coping with cancer, protecting mental health, and improving quality of life. Moreover, religious/spiritual coping is considering to be an important strategy, especially during the time that patients receive chemotherapy [9–11]. According to Kasen et al., individuals’ religiosity, spirituality, and attendance to religious services can be beneficial and protective factors and can enhance the resilience in individuals who at high risk of depression [12]. Religion and religiosity are often associated with the experience and expression of positive emotions such as hope [13]. In addition, organised religion can be a system that gives meaning in one’s life, especially during stressful events. That is why region and religiosity can enhance resilience, facilitating the individuals with values to maintain a positive perspective in life’s adversities [14].

Although a considerable number of articles on breast cancer have been published, few studies have examined religiosity, mental health, and resilience, but to the best of our knowledge no research has been conducted in Greece. Furthermore, relevant studies in international literature have produced mixed findings. Consequently, the assessment of the current issue needs to be better understood and addressed more fully in breast cancer patients.

The aim of this study is to investigate religiosity in Greek breast cancer patients, as well as the effect that it might have on mental health and psychological resilience.

Material and methods

Study design and sample

This cross-sectional study was conducted in the oncology department of a hospital in northern Greece between February and March 2017. The oncology department is an important provider of breast cancer services to people in northern Greece. Women who visited the hospital for follow-up after mastectomy or lumpectomy were recruited to participate in the study. Subjects were eligible for study participation if they were 18 years old or above, had undergone breast surgery, were able to communicate in Greek language and had sufficient cognitive ability to participate in the study.

All eligible participants provided written, informed consent before completing a structured questionnaire. Initially, a total of 180 patients were recruited, of whom 164 completed and submitted the questionnaire. Twelve patients were excluded from analysis because of incomplete data. Final analysis was based on the remaining 152 questionnaires. This study meets the ethics guidelines of the hospital where the study was performed.

Instruments

Data on sociodemographic and psychological variables were collected to investigate the relationships between psychological conditions and dealing with breast cancer treatment. Participants answered the following questionnaires:

Depression was measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire two-item depression scale (PHQ-2). This instrument is a short form of PHQ-9, of which the first two questions have been shown to have good sensitivity for identifying cases of depression at a score of ≥ 3 (range 0–6) [15]. On the PHQ-2 patients indicate the frequency with which they have been bothered by two problems in the past two weeks: 0 (“not at all”), 1 (“several days”), 2 (“more than half the days”), and 3 (“nearly all the time”). Scores of more than 3 represent severe depression [16, 17].

The Generalised Anxiety Disorder two-item scale (GAD-2) has two items with response options identical to the PHQ-2 and can be scored from 0 to 6 (with higher scores representing more severe anxiety). The questionnaire was originally developed as a measure to detect generalised anxiety disorder [18]. Also, the GAD-2 evaluates other common anxiety disorders in clinical practice: panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder [19].

Psychological resilience was assessed using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 25 (CD-RISC 25) [20, 21]. This questionnaire provides a unidimensional measure reflecting the ability to bounce back from a variety of challenges such as illness, emotional pressure or painful feelings. Items are rated on a five-point scale (from 0 – “not true at all” to 4 – “true nearly all the time”) providing a total sum score ranging from 0–100, with higher scores reflecting greater resilience.

Religiosity was assessed using the Centrality of Religiosity Scale (CRS) which consists of 15 items (CRS-15) [22]. The scale consists of five dimensions: public practice, private practice, religious experience, ideology and intellectual interest (three questions for each). Participants are asked to rate items on a five-point Likert scale ranging from “not at all” to “very much”. The Greek version of the instrument was used in this study. The Greek validation study concludes in two factor solutions, one measuring religious beliefs and experiences and the second measuring religious practices [23].

Moreover, patients completed their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, such as: age, living arrangement, number of children, educational level, type of surgery, stage of cancer, adjuvant therapy, and symptom burden.

Statistical analyses

Descriptive statistics were used to assess sample characteristics, psychological variables, and religiosity. Normality was first tested for each variable. For the comparison of proportions, the χ² test was used. Independent-sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance were conducted to compare the means of resilience and religiosity for categorical variables. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to identify the relationship between the examined variables, and multiple linear regression analysis with backward method was applied to identify the predictors of resilience. Also, logistic regression analyses were performed in order to observe changes in depression and anxiety of cancer patients. Statistical analyses were conducted with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 25.0. Significance for all statistical tests was set at 0.05 or less (two-tailed).

Results

Demographic characteristics of patients are shown in Table 1. The participants ranged in age from 27 to 87 years (mean ±SD = 53.2 ±12). The median age was 53 years. 55.3% of the participants were married, and the remainder lived alone. 44.1% received middle school education. In relation to clinical variables, the majority of patients (70.4%) had undergone mastectomy. 55% of female subjects was diagnosed at advanced stage, and 47.5% received surgery and chemotherapy as adjuvant therapy.

Table 1.

Demographic and clinical characteristics of participants

Characteristic		Number (n)	Percentage (%)
Age group	Below 40	25	16.9
	41–50	34	23
	51–60	47	31.8
	61–70	35	23.6
	71+	7	4.7
Living arrangement	Living with family	84	55.3
	Living alone	68	44.7
Number of children	0	32	21.1
	1	23	15.1
	2	62	40.8
	3	32	21.1
	4	3	2
Educational level	Primary	31	20.4
	Secondary	67	44.1
	Tertiary	53	34.9
	Master/PhD	1	0.7
Type of surgery	Mastectomy	107	70.4
	Lumpectomy	45	29.6
Stage of cancer	Initial	68	45
	Advanced	83	55
Adjuvant therapy	Surgery and chemotherapy	72	47.4
	Surgery and radiotherapy	23	15.1
	Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy	57	37.5

Figure 1 presents the symptom burden of patients. The majority (35.5%) stated that they had some symptoms but did not require bed rest during the day. Also, a high percentage of patients (32.2%) stated that they had no symptoms and were able to do all their daily activities.

Fig. 1.

Symptom burden of patients

Depression based on PHQ-2 ≥ 3 was screened in 38.2% and anxiety by the GAD-2 ≥ 3 was screened in 32.2%. However, PHQ-2 ≥ 3 was not screened in 94 cases (61.8%) and GAD-2 ≥ 3 in 103 cases (67.8%). Also, the mean score for resilience of breast cancer patients was 65.5 ±19, meaning a moderate resilience and range from 14 to 100. The results of religiosity are presented in Figure 2. The mean CRS score was 2.3 ±0.5, ranging from 1 to 3.

Fig. 2.

Centrality of religiosity scale

Additionally, statistically significant differences were found between family status, PHQ-2, and GAD-2. Specifically, 58.6% and 57.1% of patients who lived alone stated that they had depression and anxiety, respectively, in contrast with the 41.4% and 42.9% who lived with their family (p = 0.007, p = 0.034, respectively). The CRS-score is different between stages of cancer; patients in advanced stage were more likely to be religious than patients in initial stage. Moreover, religiosity seems to be different between types of surgery; patients who had undergone mastectomy were more religious (Table 2).

Table 2.

Centrality of Religiosity Scale score between stage of cancer and type of surgery

Cancer stage and type of surgery	Religiosity total		Religious practices		Religious beliefs
	Mean (±)	p-value	Mean (±)	p-value	Mean (±)	p-value
Initial	3.17 (1.07)	0.014	3.22 (1.16)	0.012	3.14 (1.06)	0.020
Advanced	3.60 (1.03)		3.67 (1.05)		3.54 (1.05)
Mastectomy	3.66 (0.85)	0.001	3.74 (0.89)	0.001	3.61 (0.87)	0.001
Lumpectomy	2.80 (1.27)		2.81 (1.33)		2.78 (1.26)

Correlations of the variables, shown in Table 3, indicate a high association between depression and anxiety. The symptom burden has a low correlation with depression and anxiety. Additionally, a moderate negative correlation exists between depression, anxiety, and symptom burden. The religiosity of the sample also correlated positively with the resilience. Conversely, scores on the CRS did not correlate with the depression, anxiety, and symptom burden.

Table 3.

Correlation analysis between depression, anxiety, symptom burden, resilience, and religiosity

	Depression	Anxiety	Symptom burden	Resilience
Anxiety	0.733*
Symptom Burden	0.238*	0.320*
Resilience	–0.414*	–0.378*	–0.411*
Religiosity total	–0.075	–0.086	0.015	0.194**
Religious practices	–0.083	–0.083	–0.026	0.213*
Religious beliefs	–0.075	–0.089	0.043	0.176**

^*p < 0.001

^**p < 0.05 (two-tailed)

Multiple backward regression analysis was conducted to identify the predictors of resilience. Variables were included in the regression analysis consisting of score of total religiosity, two dimensions (religious practices and religious beliefs), and symptom burden. Finally, as shown in Table 4, the variables included into the regression model were symptom burden (β = –7,269, p ≤ 0.001) and religious beliefs (β = 4,437, p ≤ 0.001).

Table 4.

Predicting factors for resilience among breast cancer patients

	Unstandardised coefficients		Standardised coefficients	p-value	95% CI for β
	β	Std. error			Lower bound	Upper bound
Constant	59.146	4.744		0.001	49.772	68.52
Symptom burden	–7.269	1.251	–0.418	0.001	–9.741	–4.797
Religious beliefs	4.437	1.288	0.247	0.001	1.891	6.983

Furthermore, the results of the binary logistic regression analysis indicate that the depression was significantly associated with resilience, stage of cancer, and anxiety (Table 5). For every unit increase in resilience, the likelihood of being depressed was reduced by 0.9. Patients in advanced stage were more likely to be depressed by a factor of 3.6. Anxious patients were more likely to be depressed by a factor of 67.8.

Table 5.

Predicting factors for depression among breast cancer patients

	OR	p-value	95% CI for EXP(B)
			Lower	Upper
Resilience	0.952	0.002	0.922	0.982
Stage of cancer	3.644	0.027	1.155	11.497
Anxiety	67.827	0.000	18.011	255.430
Constant	3.604	0.418

Variable(s) entered: resilience, type of surgery, symptom burden, living arrangement, educational level, stage of cancer, anxiety

Also, anxiety was significantly associated with symptom burden and depression (Table 6). For every unit increase in symptom burden, the likelihood of being anxious was increased by a factor of 2.1. Depressed patients were more likely to be anxious by a factor of 67.3.

Table 6.

Predictive factors of anxiety among breast cancer patients

	OR	p-value	95% CI for EXP(B)
			Lower	Upper
Symptom burden	2.182	0.003	1.300	3.662
Depression	67.324	0.000	19.806	228.840
Constant	0.101	0.011

Variable(s) entered: resilience, type of surgery, symptom burden, living arrangement, educational level, stage of cancer, depression

Discussion

The aim of this study was to examine the possible relation between religiosity, mental health, and psychological resilience on breast cancer patients. Our results indicated that psychological resilience has a beneficial effect on the mental health of breast cancer patients, while symptom burden can predict poor psychological wellbeing.

Assessment of religiosity and religious preferences in breast cancer patients can contribute to planning and implementing an individualised care plan based on the patient’s values and preferences. Religion and faith were found to provide, in women diagnosed with breast cancer, appropriate tools for coping with their condition and should be recognised by health care professionals. In addition, it is very important to encourage patients to seek religion and support their religious service participation [24]. Previous research exploring the area of religiosity and mental well-being on breast cancer patients concluded that religiosity has a mediating role, and although it cannot predict a direct association with wellbeing, it can facilitate good adaptation to illness, especially in those who are classified as highly religious [25]. A German study indicated that religious commitment and religious coping was not associated with psychosocial variables such as anxiety [26]. Similarly, another study failed to establish and prove a significant association between dispositional religious/spiritual beliefs and emotional distress [27]. The above international studies’ findings are in agreement with our results in which we did not find a direct association between religiosity and either depression or anxiety.

The increase of religious beliefs can have a positive effect and enhance resilience based on our results. Momeni et al. found a positive relationship between resilience and spirituality as well as predictive factors of quality of life [28]. Furthermore, Saeidi et al. reported that spiritual-religious intervention can have a positive effect on resilience, strengthening the assumption that there is a direct association between religiosity and spirituality and resilience [29]. An international study showed that religious beliefs and practice can have a positive effect on an individual’s resilience [30].

One more notable finding of this study was the positive effect that resilience has on mental health, where psychologically resilient individuals experienced fewer depressive symptoms. In a recent Greek study, a similar finding was reported [3]. Also, international studies highlighted the negative relation between resilience and psychological distress [31–33].

According to our results, patients in end-stage cancer and those who had undergone mastectomy were more religious. End-stage cancer patients express various needs, such as spiritual and religious needs, especially during their final days of life. Many patients find comfort in believing in a collaboration with God to overcome illness [34] or to adapt to their illness. In a cross-sectional study in Greece it was reported that the majority of patients were engaged in private religious practices such prayers and were actively participating in their religious community. Although there was no association found between religiosity and psychological variables, the positive effect that religiosity had was found through the perceived social support that religious communities provide [35].

There are some limitations that merit consideration. First of all, our study is limited by a small sample size and by its cross-sectional nature, representing only one oncology hospital. The second limitation is that the majority of the population in Greece is orthodox, as was our sample. Therefore, it cannot be generalised to those belonging to other religious groups.

Conclusions

The results of this study provide evidence that religiosity and resilience are factors that contribute to enhancement in coping capacity and in maintaining mental health of breast cancer patients. In conclusion, providing adequate and satisfactory holistic care in which patients’ values and religious preferences are integrated is suggested. To this end, it would be prudent for national surveys to include questions on religion and spirituality.