Relationship between Schwartz's Personal Values and Subjective Well-being among Patients with Breast Cancer

Authors

Abstract

Introduction:The high prevalence of breast cancer at early age and its psychological consequences for patients and their families make necessary research on cancer and its relationship with other psychological structures. The purpose of this research was to determine hierarchy of personal values and their relationship with subjective well-being among patients with breast cancer.

Method: The research was descriptive and correlational. The 100 women with breast cancer from hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences were selected by convenience sampling method. Participants were appraised by Schwartz's Value Scale (SVS) and Subjective Well-Being Scale.

Results: Data analysis by using descriptive indicators showed that value priorities of female patients with breast cancer were security, conformity, benevolence, universalism, self-direction, tradition, hedonism, power and stimulation respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that all personal values except stimulation had positive and significant relationship with subjective well-being. Finally as results of stepwise regression analysis, self-direction plays strong role in prediction of subjective well-being.

Conclusion: Female patients with breast cancer concerned values which emphasize on preserving customs, traditions, stability, self and society's security, acceptance of others and interest in their welfare. Self-direction value is organized by independent thoughts and actions of individual have had most important role in maintaining patients' subjective well-being.

Keywords