Mentalization and Its Relation to Life Satisfaction and the Level of Mental Adjustment to Illness in Women with Breast Cancer—A Pilot Study

Mariusz Cieślak (), Joanna Kozaka, Paulina Beata Golińska and Mariola Bidzan
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Mariusz Cieślak: Institute of Psychology, University of Lodz, 90-136 Lodz, Poland
Joanna Kozaka: Private Counseling Services Joanna Kozaka, 80-414 Gdansk, Poland
Paulina Beata Golińska: Department of Neuropsychology, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland
Mariola Bidzan: Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-11

Abstract: This study’s aim was assessing of the relationship between mentalization and life satisfaction and the level of adaptation to oncological disease in patients with breast cancer. The study involved 41 women ( M = 59.88; SD = 8.81) with breast cancer who completed their treatments and participated in a cancer rehabilitation program. In the study, we used the Mentalization Questionnaire (MZQ), the Satisfaction Life Scale (SWLS), and the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Mini-MAC). The mean of declared level of mentalization was 45.54 ( SD = 11.65). The significant correlation between mentalization (its general value and individual dimensions) and satisfaction with life/mental adjustment to cancer was observed. The strongest positive correlations were noted between refusing self-reflection, helplessness–hopelessness, and anxious preoccupation and the negative correlation between mentalization and satisfaction with life. Mentalization was a predictor of satisfaction with life and mental adjustment to illness. Mentalization was related with life satisfaction and adjustment to cancer in patients with breast cancer, which is in line with previous studies suggesting the crucial role of subjective psychological factors in maintaining mental health.

Keywords: oncological diseases; psychological resources; mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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