Sense of coherence and coping strategies: How they influence quality of life in Iranian women with breast cancer

Aim: To investigate the mediation/moderation effect between Coping Behaviors (CBs) and Sense of Coherence (SOC) in the prediction of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in breast cancer patients. Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: A total of 221 patients were included in this study. The 13-item Orientation to Life Questionnaire, Brief COPE and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Breast were investigated. Pearson's correlation coefficient and mediation/moderation analysis were performed. Results: Significant correlations were observed for SOC, active coping, acceptance, positive reframing (PR), planning, use of emotional support (UES), use of instrumental support, behaviour disengagement and self-blame with HRQoL. Except for planning and acceptance, SOC partially mediated the CBs' effect on HRQoL. The UES and PR's effects on HRQoL were significant at lower SOC levels and diminished at higher SOC levels. Conclusion: Practitioners can incorporate SOC and adaptive CBs, including PR and UES, into the rehabilitation programmes to improve HRQoL in patients.