ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Psychol.
Sec. Psycho-Oncology
This article is part of the Research TopicInnovations in Psychological Care for Oncology and Palliative Settings: A Holistic ApproachView all 28 articles
The mediating effect of family resilience between readiness for hospital discharge and self-management efficacy among breast cancer patients
Provisionally accepted
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
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Background Readiness for hospital discharge is a critical factor in the recovery of breast cancer patients, facilitating the transition from inpatient care to home-based self-management. While adequate preparation equips patients with the necessary knowledge and skills, effective behavioral change often requires support from the family system. Grounded in Family Systems Theory and Family Resilience Model, this study examined the relationship between readiness for hospital discharge (RHD) and self-management efficacy (SME) and tested the mediating role of family resilience (FR)—a key indicator of family adaptability. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between February 2024 and January 2025 at a tertiary hospital in Wuxi, China. Data were collected from 265 postoperative breast cancer patients using the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS), the Family Hardiness Index (FHI), and the Self-Management Efficacy Scale for Cancer Patients (C-SUPPH). Pearson correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were employed to examine associations and mediation effects. Results Of the 274 questionnaires distributed, 265 were valid (response rate: 96.72%). The mean scores were 85.56 ± 9.62 (RHDS), 42.55 ± 5.70 (FHI), and 95.62 ± 13.16 (C-SUPPH). Readiness for hospital discharge was significantly correlated with both family resilience (r = 0.343, p < 0.01) and self-management efficacy (r = 0.394, p < 0.01). SEM results indicated that family resilience partially mediated the relationship between Readiness for hospital discharge and self-management efficacy, accounting for 29.60% of the total effect. Conclusion Readiness for hospital discharge significantly predicts self-management efficacy in breast cancer patients, with family resilience serving as a key mediating factor. These findings support targeted interventions to improve discharge preparation and family resilience, thereby enhancing recovery and outcomes.
Keywords: breast cancer, Readiness for hospital discharge, family resilience, Self-management efficacy, Mediation
Received: 30 Sep 2025; Accepted: 04 Dec 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Wang, Wu, Xu, Zhou, Xu, Qin and Chen. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Ling Chen
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