Prediction of Hope of Life Based on Mental Health and Psychological Hardiness in Women with Cancer after Surgery

Psychological factors as hope of life can reduce or promote cancer progression because of the influence of these factors on the immune system that protected body against illness and may help to fight cancer. The present study investigated the predictability of hope of life based on mental health and psychological hardiness in women with cancer after surgery. The population of this study was all women with cancer after surgery who were referred to Cancer Institute of Iran for follow up. 122 patients recruited in this study based on purposive sampling. They completed the validated questionnaires for hope (Snyder, 1991); mental health (Keyes & Magyar-Moe, 2003); and short form of hardiness scale (Kubasa, 1982). Data were analyzed by using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and hierarchical multiple regression. Findings indicated a significant positive relationship between hope of life and mental health (emotional well-being, psychological well-being and social well-being), as well as psychological hardiness (commitment, control and challenge) in women with cancer (P < 0.01). Hardiness explained 49.8% of the variance in hope of life (P < 0.01) and mental health explained 25.4% of the variance in hope of life (P < 0.01). Commitment (P < 0.05), emotional well-being and psychological well-being (P < 0.01) predicted hope of life in women with cancer. According to this study, the patients with higher, emotional well-being, Psychological well-being and commitment had greater hope of life. Psychological interventions for strengthening these factors in women with cancer after surgery are suggested.