Body Image,Coping Styles,and Self-Care Capacity Among Breast Cancer Patients With Lymphedema: A Moderating Model Analysis

Abstract

Background:

With adequate self-care capacity, patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) can reduce the frequency of outpatient and hospitalization treatments and execute decongestive procedures at home at a substantially reduced economic outlay.

Objective:

To test whether coping styles moderate the relationship between body image and self-care capacity among patients with BCRL and to identify the simple slope change trajectories and threshold value.

Methods:

From May 2022 to December 2023, the Body Image Scale, Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, and the Appraisal of Self-Care Agency Scale-Revised were used to investigate 358 patients with BCRL. Pearson correlation analysis was used for the correlation relationship. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis of Model 1 in Process v3.5 was applied to identify the moderating effect. Johnson-Neyman technology was used to explore the detection of simple slope trajectories.

Results:

The moderating effect was found for coping styles (confrontation, avoidance, yielding) (ΔR² = 0.012, 0.009, 0.010, P < .05), with critical thresholds of 29.87, 15.09, and 9.04, respectively. The trend and strength of body image’s influence on self-care capacity differed at high/low coping style (simple slope = −0.365/−0.936/−0.880, simple slope = −0.753/−0.654/−0.548, P < .001).

Conclusions:

Coping styles partially moderate between body image and self-care capacity, and body image exhibits a less negative impact on the self-care capacity of those with highly positive coping styles, while negative coping exacerbates this relationship. Pathway-role interactions and moderating effects of coping styles may facilitate nursing practitioners in formulating targeted interventions to effectively enhance self-care capacity.