Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2017.330

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEALTH LOCUS OF CONTROL, DEPRESSION, AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AND AMOUNT OF TIME BREAST CANCER PATIENTS WAIT BEFORE SEEKING DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Inga Marijanović ; Oncology Clinic, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Gordana Pavleković ; Department for Social Medicine and Organization of Health Care, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Andrija Stampar School of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Teo Buhovac ; Oncology Clinic, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Marko Martinac ; Center for Mental Health, Mostar Health Center, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Background: In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the prevalence and incidence of breast cancer has been increasing,
and the national programme of early prevention, administered locally, is sporadic and without quality assurance. While many
factors may influence women's decision to adopt prevention-oriented behaviours regarding breast cancer, this study has emphasised
the importance of sociodemographic factors, psychological factors and mental wellbeing.
Subjects and methods: Participants in the study were all patients who, during one year, were admitted for the first time for
diagnosis and treatment in the biggest Clinical hospitals of the Herzegovina-Neretva region Patients were divided into two groups
based on their TNM classification: "early stage" and "late stage". Three instruments were used in this study: an individual
questionnaire about demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the woman, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control
scales, and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
Results: The majority of patients diagnosed with advanced disease were admitted to hospital in the late/advanced stages of the
disease. Multi-variant analysis showed that the most statistically significant positive predictor for early admittance in hospital is
living with family and marital status while religiosity has a negative predictive value. The results indicate that 59.7% of respondents
do not have depression, while the remainder do have some degree of depression. There was no statistically significant difference in
the degree of depression between women who were diagnosed and treated early and those who were not. The employment status of
the respondents was the only significant factor related to degree of depression.
Conclusion: Although health locus of control and depression are not statistically significant predictors of early hospital
treatment, the recommendation is that further studies focus on the implementation of MHLC and HDRS scales within the community.
This could be useful in planning appropriate and specific interventions, not only because of early diagnosis, but also to ensure good
mental health and resilient behaviour.

Keywords

health locus of control; depression; sociodemographic factors; breast cancer

Hrčak ID:

187293

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/187293

Publication date:

26.9.2017.

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