The relationship of fatigue and meaning in life in breast cancer survivors.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To determine relationships among (a) cancer-related fatigue and meaning in life, (b) overall symptom distress and meaning in life, (c) fatigue and performance, and (d) overall symptom distress and performance in breast cancer survivors. DESIGN Cross-sectional and correlational. SETTING Community-based setting in eastern Pennsylvania. SAMPLE 34 women who had completed their last treatment for breast cancer within the prior 16 months. METHODS Data were collected using the Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS), Life Attitude Profile-Revised (LAP-R), Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form (MSAS-SF), and Medical Outcomes Study-Short Form 36 (SF-36). MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Fatigue and meaning in life. FINDINGS One moderate negative correlation was found between the PFS sensory subscale and the choice or responsibleness dimension of the LAP-R. Significant moderate to strong negative correlations were found between the MSAS-SF total score and two subscale scores and the existential transcendence dimension of the LAP-R. Significant moderate to strong negative correlations were found between four subscales of the SF-36 representing performance and the MSAS-SF total score. CONCLUSIONS Meaning in life may influence fatigue and overall symptoms in breast cancer survivors. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Assessment of meaning in life may be important in the management of fatigue and overall symptoms in women after treatment for breast cancer.