Post-traumatic growth in breast cancer patients post-mastectomy: body image mediates self-actualization and ego strength

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

The diagnosis, treatment, and side effects of breast cancer are often experienced as traumatic events that impact multiple aspects of a woman's life. While many factors influence how individuals adapt to this trauma, the psychological variables contributing to post-traumatic growth (PTG) remain insufficiently explored. This study proposed a conceptual model in which self-actualization and ego strength predict PTG, with body image serving as a mediating factor. To evaluate this model, 182 Iranian women who had undergone mastectomy were recruited through convenience sampling. Participants completed the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, Body Image Scale, Ego Strength Scale, Short Index of Self-Actualization, and a demographic questionnaire. Data analysis revealed that body image significantly mediated the relationship between self-actualization, ego strength, and PTG. Structural equation modeling offered new insights into the mediating role of body image, providing a more nuanced understanding of the psychological processes underlying adaptation and growth, and contributing to the broader literature on PTG among breast cancer survivors.