Relationship between spiritual health, psychological hardiness and subjective well-being in women with cancer

Considering the increasing incidence of cancer in Iran and its psychological problems and the importance of the health of women, the present study investigated the relationship between spiritual well-being, psychological hardiness and subjective well-being in women with cancer and to find appropriate solution for helping women with cancer.

The population of this study was all women with cancer who were referred to Cancer Institute of Iran for follow up in the fall of 2016. 122 patients recruited in this study based on purposive sampling. They completed the validated questionnaires for spiritual well-being (Paloutzain & Ellison), subjective well-being (positive & negative affect subscale) (Keyes & Magyar-Moe); and short form of hardiness scale (Kubasa). Data were analyzed by using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and hierarchical multiple regression.

Finding indicated a significant positive relationship between subjective well-being and Spiritual well-being as well as psychological hardiness (commitment, control and challenge) in women with cancer (P<0.01). Spiritual well-being explained 43.9% of the variance in subjective well-being (P<0.01) and psychological hardiness explained 10.6% of the variance in subjective well-being (P<0.01). Spiritual well-being (P<0.01) and Commitment (P<0.01) predicted subjective well-being in women with cancer.

According to this study, The patients with higher spiritual well-being and commitment had greater subjective well-being. Psychological interventions for increasing these factors in women with cancer are suggested.