Psychological functioning of daughters of breast cancer patients. Part III: Experiences and perceptions of daughters related to mother's breast cancer

Overall, daughters recalled their mother's adaptation as quite good, and daughters perceived mother's activities of daily living to be significantly reduced pre/post surgery.

Abstract

Sixty daughters whose mothers had breast cancer were cross-sectionally studied as to their retrospective perceptions of their mothers before and during their illnesses. The majority of daughters recalled viewing the surgery site (72.4%), most were told within one month of surgery (83.1%), most viewed site within one month (53.7%), and were as likely to be told by mother as by all other possible people combined (50% told by mother). On the variables of: General Quality of life; Social Relationships; Attractiveness; and Sexuality, daughters perceived mother's quality of life as significantly changed (lowered) pre/post surgery. The greatest perceived changes were in the areas of perception of mother's attractiveness and sexuality. On the variables of Ability to Care for Herself; Attention to Physical Appearance; Ability to Emotionally Support Family Members; Ability to Manage Household Tasks; and Ability to Work Outside the Home; daughters perceived mother's activities of daily living to be significantly reduced pre/post surgery. Although statistical changes were evident, overall, daughters recalled their mother's adaptation as quite good.