Learning Objective #1: Examination of self-care and resourcefulness in regards to complementary therapy to improve assessment of Hispanic women during treatment for breast cancer

Learning Objective #2: The relationship effect of side effect burden during breast cancer treatment in Hispanic women to uncertainty, self-care, and quality of life

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Little data exist specifying the variables associated with complementary therapy (CT) that link with health maintenance or increase in health-related quality of life for Hispanic women during breast cancer treatment in South Texas. The purposes of this exploratory research study were to describe: 1) if CT influenced the relationship between perceived side effect burden and uncertainty, and 2) the efficacy of CT as a self-care outcome. Six hypotheses were posed that derive from Braden's Self-Help theoretical model. One hundred thirty-seven Hispanic women completed a self-report questionnaire. All of the women were receiving outpatient medical treatment for breast cancer. In this sample, 25% completed the instrument in Spanish; 75% chose English. The mean age was 53.93 years, mean educational level was < 10 years, and median income level was <$0,000 per year. The instruments included: Side Effect Burden , Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression, Uncertainty in Illness, Self Control Schedule, Psychological Adjustment Inventory Scale, Inventory of Adult Role Behaviors, Self-Care Wellness Promotion Rating, CT Use and CT Efficacy, Quality of Life Index, and Index of Well Being. The theoretical tests consisted of determining model parameters by forced entry of variables in the order specified by the staged model for regression analysis. For the Modified Self-Help Model with CT, the findings did not support the efficacy of CT as a significant mediator of side effect burden. When used as a type of self-care during breast cancer treatment, CT accounted for only a small amount of the variance that contributed to quality of life. Women involved in adult role activities had higher quality of life. More work is necessary to clarify CT as a resource that can act to effect change in side effects experienced by women receiving breast cancer treatment.