Factors associated with self-compassion in Chinese oesophageal cancer patients undergoing oesophagectomy: Based on self-determination theory

• Published in: Current psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.) N.J.), 2024-05, Vol.43 (17), p.15551-15563
• Main Authors: Li, Wen, Zhang, Xue, Yuan, Mengmeng, Hu, Jinxiu, Li, Shuwen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavioral Science and Psychology; Esophageal cancer; Psychology; Self compassion; Self-efficacy; Social Sciences; Sociodemographics
• ISSN: 1046-1310; 1936-4733
• DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-05497-x

Self-compassion exerts beneficial effects on clinical outcomes among different cancer patients, yet little research has focused on the experience of self-compassion in oesophageal cancer patients. This study initially clarified the self-compassion status and explored the influencing factors in patients undergoing oesophagectomy. The sample consisted of 289 oesophageal cancer patients who had undergone oesophagectomy from three hospitals in China to participate in this prospective cross-sectional observational study. Participants voluntarily completed a self-report questionnaire that assessed sociodemographic and medical characteristics, Self-compassion Scale (SCS), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS). The distribution of positive and negative self-compassion for different sociodemographic and medical characteristics was visualized using violin plots. Overall, self-compassion score of 82.18 ± 9.314 indicates a moderate level in oesophageal cancer patients. Various self-compassion responses among participants coexisted and scored highest on the domain of common humanity. Multiple linear regression showed that education level, monthly household income, self-efficacy, resilience and anastomosis site serve as internal factors influencing positive self-compassion. Furthermore, family support as an external factor is closely linked to self-compassion, whereas tumour site, combined with chronic diseases, anastomosis site and friend support significantly impact negative self-compassion. Consequently, when formulating interventions aimed at augmenting self-compassion, it is crucial to prioritize the utilization of internal motivational assets such as self-efficacy and resilience to bolster patients’ assurance and adaptive capabilities. Simultaneously, the provision of adequate social resources such as family support and extra-familial support assumes paramount significance in promoting positive self-compassion while mitigating the presence of negative self-compassion.