Relationship of Attachment Styles to God and Depression with Death Anxiety as a Mediator among Women with Breast Cancer

Breast cancer, which accounts for a high mortality rate due to cancer, is the most common cancer in females. Since this disease has negative effects on life, it can lead to depression. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship of attachment styles to God and depression in females suffering from breast cancer with death anxiety as a mediator.

This descriptive-correlational study included all women with breast cancer referring to Mahdieh Medical Clinic, as well as Imam Khomeini, Firoozgar, and Pars hospitals in 2017. The sample size was determined at 397 people using Cochrane formula and a convenience sampling method. The participants were then asked to complete the Beck Depression Inventory (2001), God Attachment Questionnaire by Rowat and Kirkpatrick (2002), and Templar’s Death Anxiety Questionnaire (1979). The data were analyzed in smart PLS software through structural equation modeling.

According to the results, the quality of attachment to God and death anxiety can predict depression among the females suffering from breast cancer (P<0.05). It was also found that death anxiety as a mediator can mediate the relationship between attachment styles to God and depression (P<0.05).

It is concluded that any attachment to God reduces the level of depression in females with breast cancer, whereas death anxiety leads to an increase in the levels of depression. Therefore, it is suggested that these two factors be taken into consideration by the medical staff in complementary interventions.