Influencing factors on quality of life in women undergoing cancer treatment: a cross-sectional study

TL;DR

This study explores factors that influence the quality of life in women receiving cancer treatment, focusing on femininity and women's roles.

Contribution

The study identifies specific predictors of quality of life using Ferrans’ QoL model in a South Korean population.

Findings

Quality of life scores were moderately high and negatively correlated with death anxiety, performance status, perceived health status, and body image.

Performance status, perceived health status, and death anxiety were significant independent predictors of quality of life.

Body image and division of household labor did not significantly predict quality of life.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting quality of life (QoL) in women undergoing cancer treatment, based on Ferrans’ QoL model, with particular attention to femininity and women’s roles.

A cross-sectional correlational design was used, and 101 women were recruited through convenience sampling from a tertiary medical center in Jeonju, South Korea, between June and August 2024. QoL, death anxiety, performance status (ability to perform daily activities), body image, and division of household labor were measured using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the independent t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis.

The majority of participants had either breast cancer (40.6%) or gynecologic cancer (26.7%). Participants’ QoL scores were at a moderate or higher level (69.12±16.65) and demonstrated statistically significant negative correlations with death anxiety (r=–.43, p<.001), performance status (r=–.44, p<.001), perceived health status (r=–.58, p<.001), and body image (r=–.46, p<.001). Performance status (β=–.30, p<.001), perceived health status (β=–.30, p<.001), and death anxiety (β=–.27, p=.001) were independent predictors of QoL in women with cancer during treatment (F=14.69, p<.001), with an overall explanatory power of 49.0%. Body image and division of household labor were not significant predictors of QoL.

Performance status, perceived health status, and death anxiety should be prioritized when evaluating QoL in women undergoing cancer treatment.