Body image and its relationship with coping strategies: The views of Iranian breast cancer women following surgery

Objective Breast cancer treatments not only affect body image but also other aspects of women's lives. Women try to accept their appearance through coping strategies. This study aimed to determine the relationship between body image and coping strategies in women with breast cancer following surgery in southeast Iran. Methods This is a descriptive study with correlational design. This study recruited 180 women with breast cancer following surgery via convenience sampling (71 women with mastectomy, 109 women with breast conservative surgery). Data were collected by a three-part questionnaire: Background data; Body Image Scale; Body Image Coping Strategies Inventory, and were analyzed by SPSS 19 and descriptive and analytical statistics (independent t, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient and linear regression). Results The mean score of body image was 14.31 +/- 6.61 (ranged from 0 to 30), and coping strategies was 46.16 +/- 13.26 (ranged from 0 to 87). According to the mean scores, the women were, on average, satisfied with their body image. The most frequent strategy used was "positive rational acceptance" with a mean score of 23.30 +/- 6.19 and the least used strategy was "avoidance" with a mean score of 10.35 +/- 4.50. A significant relationship was observed between body image and coping strategies (r = .34, p = .001); women who felt worse about their own body image were found to use more coping strategies. Conclusion Women using positive rational acceptance were likely to report favorable body image. Thus, promoting positive attitude regarding physical appearance and coping skills screening by trained nurses is recommended for all breast cancer patients after their surgery. Such screenings can result in an appropriate flow of information between nurses and patients about the body image and coping skills applied. Being aware of their positive coping strategies can help women, and prepare them to use the coping strategies required to improve their body image and to enhance their quality of life.