The Relationship between Baseline Self-Esteem and Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes in Oncology Patients

Vukoje, H.; Lešić, S.; Igrec, D.; Maljković, N.L.; Kralik, K.; Matić, A.

doi:10.58209/hehp.14.2.377

The Relationship between Baseline Self-Esteem and Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes in Oncology Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

H. Vukoje ¹

S. Lešić ²

D. Igrec ³

N.L. Maljković ⁴

K. Kralik ⁵

A. Matić ³

¹ Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, Osijek, Croatia

² Department of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, Osijek, Croatia

³ Department of Pathophysiology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, Osijek, Croatia

⁴ Department of Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, Pathological Anatomy and Pathological Histology, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, Osijek, Croatia

⁵ Department of Medical Statistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, Osijek, Croatia

10.58209/hehp.14.2.377

Abstract

Aims: Self-esteem plays an important role in the therapeutic process for oncology patients because it influences how individuals cope with their diagnosis and respond to treatment. This study aimed to examine baseline self-esteem and quality of life, as well as their associations before and after treatment, in oncology patients.
Materials & Methods: This study included 53 oncology patients who underwent radiotherapy between February and July 2024. A prospective pre–post observational design was used. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General questionnaire were used to assess self-esteem, health-related quality of life, and their interrelationship in oncology patients.
Findings: Among 53 patients (57% women), the mean baseline Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale score was 28±7 (Cronbach’s α=0.808). Women reported higher self-esteem than men (mean, 30 vs. 25; p=0.006). After radiotherapy, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General physical, emotional, and functional well-being and total scores decreased significantly, whereas social/family well-being did not; baseline self-esteem correlated positively with Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General scores at both assessments, except in the social/family domain. Adjusting for age and sex, each one-point increase in baseline Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was associated with a 1.22-point higher post-treatment Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General total score (95% CI, 0.71–1.74; p<0.001; adjusted R²=0.402).
Conclusion: Cancer treatment is associated with lower physical, emotional, and functional well-being, while higher baseline self-esteem is associated with better overall quality of life.

Keywords

Health

Psycho-Oncology

Quality of Life

Self-Esteem

Subjects

Quality of Life

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