The mediating role of depressive, anxiety, and physical symptoms on work ability index in employed women with breast cancer: a prospective study from Croatia

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Ivana Prga Borojević
• Author: Ines Amber Kincaid
• Author: Martina Bago
• Author: Tajana Prga Bajić
• Author: Ružica Valent
• Author: Klaudia Knezić
• Author: Bojana Knežević
• Author: Darko Marčinko
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Surgery)
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Public Health and Health Care
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Surgery
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Psychiatry

Abstract (english)

Aim: To explore the relationship between the current work ability index (WAI) and depressive and anxiety symptoms in breast cancer (BC) patients and the role of depressive, anxiety, and physical symptoms in mediating this relationship.

Methods: This prospective study enrolled 83 employed women with BC. At baseline assessment (in the first three months following BC diagnosis) and follow-up assessment (one year after baseline), participants completed the WAI, Beck Depression Inventory-II, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire with a breast cancer-specific module. Mediation analyses were conducted to explore the mechanism by which depressive, anxiety, and physical symptoms influenced the relationship between WAI and depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Results: WAI was negatively associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms. The effect of baseline depressive and trait anxiety symptoms on WAI at follow-up was mediated by both depressive and trait anxiety symptoms, as well as by physical symptoms at follow-up. The effect of baseline state anxiety symptoms on WAI at follow-up was mediated only by state anxiety symptoms at follow-up.

Conclusions: Baseline depressive and anxiety symptoms affect WAI at follow-up not only through persisting depressive and anxiety symptoms observed at follow-up but also through physical symptoms at follow-up. This indicates that efforts aimed at improving psychological health may result in simultaneous improvements in both psychological and physical health, as well as the resulting WAI.

• Keywords (english): Adult; Aged; Anxiety / epidemiology; Anxiety / psychology; Breast Neoplasms / psychology; Croatia / epidemiology; Depression / epidemiology; Depression / psychology; Employment; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Quality of Life / psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Work Capacity Evaluation
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Croatian Medical Journal
• Numbering: vol. 65, no. 2, pp. 101-110
• p-ISSN: 0353-9504
• e-ISSN: 1332-8166
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2024.65.101
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:552144
• Publication: 2024-04-30
• Document URL: http://www.cmj.hr/2024/65/2/38706236.htm
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-06-20 10:37:44