The Relationship between Baseline Self-Esteem and Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes in Oncology Patients

Aims: Self-esteem plays an important role in the therapeutic process for oncology patients because it influences how individuals cope with their diagnosis and respond to treatment. This study aimed to examine baseline self-esteem and quality of life, as well as their associations before and after treatment, in oncology patients.Materials & Methods: This study included ۵۳ oncology patients who underwent radiotherapy between February and July ۲۰۲۴. A prospective pre–post observational design was used. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General questionnaire were used to assess self-esteem, health-related quality of life, and their interrelationship in oncology patients.Findings: Among ۵۳ patients (۵۷% women), the mean baseline Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale score was ۲۸±۷ (Cronbach’s α=۰.۸۰۸). Women reported higher self-esteem than men (mean, ۳۰ vs. ۲۵; p=۰.۰۰۶). After radiotherapy, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General physical, emotional, and functional well-being and total scores decreased significantly, whereas social/family well-being did not; baseline self-esteem correlated positively with Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General scores at both assessments, except in the social/family domain. Adjusting for age and sex, each one-point increase in baseline Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was associated with a ۱.۲۲-point higher post-treatment Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General total score (۹۵% CI, ۰.۷۱–۱.۷۴; p<۰.۰۰۱; adjusted R²=۰.۴۰۲).Conclusion: Cancer treatment is associated with lower physical, emotional, and functional well-being, while higher baseline self-esteem is associated with better overall quality of life.

کلیدواژه ها:

Health ، psycho-oncology ، Quality of Life ، Self-Esteem