Structural equation model of psychological hardiness and perceived social support in psychological distress with the mediating role of body image dissatisfaction in women with breast cancer

Studies show that psychological protective factors play a decisive role in reducing the traumatic consequences of stressful factors and improving the quality of life in people with chronic diseases. In this regard, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the structural equation model of psychological hardiness and perceived social support in psychological distress with the mediating role of body image dissatisfaction in women with breast cancer. The present research was applied in terms of purpose and descriptive in terms of methodology. The statistical population of this research was all women with breast cancer referred to Imam Sajjad Hospital in Ramsar city, 200 people in the age range of 30 to 60 years were selected by purposive sampling method. Participants responded to instruments of psychological hardiness, perceived social support, psychological distress, and body image dissatisfaction. The results of the Sobel test showed that the body dissatisfaction variable was a mediator in the relationship between psychological hardiness (Z=-6.71, p<0.01) and social support (Z=-0.01, p<-4.21) with psychological distress. According to the results, knowing the factors affecting dissatisfaction with body image such as psychological hardiness and social support is important in the mental health of people with breast cancer and shows the necessity of interventions focused on factors related to dissatisfaction with body image in order to reduce psychological distress in these people.