Higher family and individual resilience and lower perceived stress alleviate psychological distress in female breast cancer survivors with fertility intention: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore how family resilience and individual resilience reduce perceived stress and psychological distress in young female breast cancer survivors with fertility intention. METHODS: From June 2020 to June 2021, female breast cancer survivors were selected from the cancer centers of 10 tertiary Level A general hospitals in five cities of Sichuan Province. The survivors completed the Chinese versions of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and a self-report distress thermometer. A multiple mediation effects test and structural equation modeling were used to explore the relationships among family resilience, individual resilience, perceived stress, and psychological distress. RESULTS: The direct effect of family resilience on perceived stress was ß = -0.320 (95% confidence interval -0.365, -0.271, P < 0.01). The direct effect of family resilience on psychological distress was ß = -0.263 (95% confidence interval -0.363, -0.153, P < 0.001). The direct effect of family resilience on individual resilience was ß = 0.593 (95% confidence interval 0.542-0.640, P < 0.001). The indirect effect of family resilience on psychological distress was ß = -0.322 (95% confidence interval -0.373, -0.274, P < 0.001). Both perceived stress and individual resilience mediated the relationship between family resilience and psychological distress. Furthermore, a partial mediating effect of perceived stress and individual resilience on family resilience and psychological distress was observed. CONCLUSION: Young female breast cancer survivors in China experience moderate levels of psychological distress.