Evaluation of the Relationship between Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Post-traumatic Growth in Women with Breast Cancer

Background: Coping with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer leads to the comprehension of its positive outcomes along with its negative consequences. However, the exact relationship between these positive and negative outcomes in female patients with breast cancer is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and growth (PTSD and PTG) in women with breast cancer referred to Chemotherapy Ward of Ali Ibn Abi Talib Hospital in Zahedan, Iran, 2017.

Methods: This correlational study was conducted on 136 patients with breast cancer referred to the Chemotherapy Ward of Ali Ibn Abi Talib Hospital in 2017. The samples were selected through the convenience sampling method during 3 months. Data were collected using Post-traumatic Growth Inventory and PTSD Checklist. Data analysis was performed in SPSS, version 21 using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient test, and linear regression.

Results: According to the results of Pearson’s correlation coefficient, there was a significant and indirect correlation between PTG and PTSD and its dimensions (r=-0.34). Moreover, a significant and indirect relationship was observed between PTG and all dimensions of PTSD. Regarding the results of linear regression, PTSD and its dimensions determined only 16% of PTG (P=0.001).

Conclusion: Considering the fact that the variable of PTSD and its dimensions is a predictor of PTG in patients with breast cancer, it is recommended to pay more attention to PTSD in order to increase the PTG in these patients.