Well-Being in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Survivors of Breast Cancer

Purpose/Objectives: To test a well-being model on Hispanic and non-Hispanic white survivors of breast cancer by comparing responses about variables hypothesized to predict well-being.

Main Research Variables: Healthcare orientation, uncertainty, social support, resourcefulness, self-esteem, and well-being.

Design: Descriptive and comparative.

Sample: 50 Hispanic and 50 non-Hispanic white women who completed treatment for breast cancer and were disease-free.

Setting: Regional cancer center in southwestern United States.

Methods: Subjects completed the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Health Care Orientation Subscale, Mishel Uncertainty Illness Scale, Personal Resource Questionnaire, Self-Control Schedule, Self-Esteem Inventory, and Index of Well-Being.

Findings: Both groups of women reported high well-being. Sample characteristics were not related significantly to well-being in either group. No statistically significant differences were found between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women on any variables.

Conclusions: Comparison of well-being models revealed similarities between the two groups, including variables entering each regression equation, and explained variance. Further research is needed to explore whether commonalities in women's responses to breast cancer exist independent of ethnicity.

Implications for Nursing: Nurses should continue encouraging both Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women to share concerns and seek information from healthcare providers while strengthening feelings of self-worth because these factors directly affect well-being.