Shim EJ, et al. – This paper investigated if self–efficacy moderated the effect of illness perception (IP) on fear of progression (FOP) and determined if the moderating effect of self–efficacy depended on the level of depressive symptoms. The significance of regarding the IP as determinants of FOP, as well as of self–efficacy and depression as the moderating factors in the link between IP and FOP were highlighted in this trial. A need arose to enhance self–efficacy and depressive symptoms for compensating the negative impact of IP on FOP in breast cancer patients.

Methods

• The design of this research was a cross-sectional survey.
• It comprised of brief illness perception questionnaire (BIPQ), FOP short form, general self-efficacy scale, and the center for epidemiologic studies depression scale.
• The enrollment consisted of 245 patients with breast cancer in Korea.

Results

• It was noted that self-efficacy moderated the negative impact of the patients’ perception of chronic timeline and a greater emotional impact of the illness on FOP.
• The moderating effect of self-efficacy of the BIPQ timeline and emotions on FOP were based on the level of depressive symptoms.