Browsing by Author "Vogel, Steyn Lodewyk"

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    Exploring the relationship between the health-related quality of life and coping strategies Utilizing the FACT-B and the Brief COPE Scale among female breast cancer patients in the Western Cape, South Africa
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04) Vogel, Steyn Lodewyk; Roomaney, Rizwana
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: The main research objective of this study was to explore the relationship between coping strategies and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a South African breast cancer sample. This study comprised of a secondary data analysis of 201 women (27-83 years) receiving breast cancer treatment at the breast clinic at Tygerberg Hospital, Western Cape. Participants were asked to complete a battery of instruments, including a demographic questionnaire, the Brief-COPE (a measure of coping) and the FACT-B (a measure of HRQOL). An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was undertaken on both measures to explore the factor structure of the measures in the current sample of breast cancer patients. Cronbach’s alpha (α) was calculated for the subscales of the Brief-COPE and the FACT-B to determine the reliability of the new factor structure produced. A multiple regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship between coping strategies and the domains of HRQOL. The result of the EFA on the Brief-COPE indicated a three-factor structure with the dimensions labelled as Avoidant-coping (four items), Problem-focused coping (three items), and Emotion-focused coping (two items). The EFA on the FACT-B produced a four-factor structure with the dimensions labelled as Functional well-being (five items), Emotional wellbeing (five items), Physical well-being (four items), and Social well-being (four items). The subscales of the Brief-COPE were found to have adequate reliability as the Cronbach’s α values of Avoidant-coping, Problem-focused coping and Emotion-focused coping were .73, .78, and .73, respectively. The total FACT-B score had poor reliability (α=.48), but the Functional well-being, Emotional well-being, Physical well-being, and Social well-being subscales produced good reliability scores of .84, .80, .79, and .77, respectively. The results of the study indicated a significant relationship between coping strategies and HRQOL in the breast cancer sample. Specifically, a significant negative relationship was found between the use of avoidant coping strategies and functional- and social well-being. In contrast, a significant positive association was found between the use of avoidant coping strategies and emotional- and physical well-being. A significant positive association was also found between the use of emotion-focused coping strategies and social well-being. The findings of the study provided factor validated and reliable versions of the Brief-COPE and the FACT-B for use among South African breast cancer patients. The study provided the first insights into the relationship between coping strategies and HRQOL in South African breast cancer patients. The findings also indicate the type of coping strategies that had a positive and negative influence on the HRQOL of South African breast cancer patients.