Influence Of Social Support, Duration Of Illness And Age On Quality Of Life Among Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

This study investigated influence of social support, duration of illness, and age on the quality of life of breast cancer patients. Twenty women with breast cancer drawn from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and Irrua Specialist Hospital participated in the study. One out of three hypotheses stated was confirmed. Results indicated that there was no main and interaction effect between social support and duration of illness on the quality of life of breast cancer patients. Age, was also found not to be a significant indicator of the quality of life among breast cancer patients. Only marital status was found to be a significant factor in determining the quality of life of breast cancer patients, F (2, 17) =3.755, P< 0.05. This study has far reaching implication for clinicians who are interested in helping breast cancer patients. General belief that social support, age and duration of illness would normally have a great implication for the quality of life of breast cancer patient, was not supported by this work. Thus clinicians must have to look beyond these variables while handling breast cancer patients.

IFE PsychologIA Vol. 16 (2) 2008: pp. 91-100