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The mediating effect of pain catastrophizing and perceived injustice in the relationship of pain on health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors

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Abstract

Background

The importance of cognitive appraisals in the effectiveness of pain coping is well established. Two key variables in these appraisal processes are pain catastrophizing (PC) and perceived injustice (PI), which are known to increase the risk of long-term disability and aggravate the pain-related distress through maladaptive behavioral responses. However, to date, the mediating effects of these appraisals have not been examined concurrently in the breast cancer survivor (BCS) population, nor have they been related to health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods

Using cross-sectional data from 110 BCS, structural path analyses were used to examine the mediating effects of PC and PI in the relationship of pain on the HRQoL in BCS.

Results

Results demonstrated a significant direct effect of pain and PI on HRQoL combined with a significant indirect effect through PI, but not through PC. An increase in pain is suggested to result in a decrease in quality of life. On the other hand, an increase in pain also is suggested to increase the PI. A similar relation with PC was not retained as significant.

Conclusion

The relative salience of PI as a mediator of HRQoL underscores the fact that PI is not only understudied but also underappreciated and undertreated in the BCS population. The results of our study warrant replication across longitudinal studies but continue to expand upon the evidence of the multifactorial nature of pain coping in BCS.

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Funding

Jo Nijs is holder of a Chair funded by the Berekuyl Academy, the Netherlands. Roselien Pas is a PhD student funded by the Berekuyl Academy Chair.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pain in Motion International Research Group, http://www.paininmotion.be, Brussels, Belgium

    Laurence Leysen, Jo Nijs, Roselien Pas, C. Paul van Wilgen, Rinske Bults, Eva Roose & Astrid Lahousse

  2. Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Building F-kine, Laarbeeklaan 103, BE-1090, Brussels, Belgium

    Laurence Leysen, Jo Nijs, Nele Adriaenssens, Roselien Pas, C. Paul van Wilgen, Eva Roose, Astrid Lahousse & David Beckwée

  3. Interfaculty Center Data Processing and Statistics, Brussels Health Campus, Brussels, Belgium

    Wilfried Cools

  4. Department of Physical Medicine and Physiotherapy, University Hospital Brussels, Brussels, Belgium

    Jo Nijs

  5. Department of Oncology, University Hospital Brussels, Brussels, Belgium

    Nele Adriaenssens

  6. Transcare Pijn – Transdisciplinary Pain Center, Groningen, the Netherlands

    C. Paul van Wilgen & Rinske Bults

  7. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, Belgium

    Rinske Bults

  8. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium

    David Beckwée

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  1. Laurence Leysen
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Contributions

L.L., J.N., C.P.V.W., R.B., and D.B. conceived the presented idea. L.L., J.N., and D.B. developed the study protocol and L.L. carried out the study. W.C. performed and verified the analytical methods. L.L. wrote the manuscript with support from J.N., D.B., and W.C. All authors discussed the results and contributed to the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laurence Leysen.

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Ethics approval

The protocol B.U.N. 143201524229 was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the University Hospital of Brussels.

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Written and signed consents were obtained from all patients.

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All authors consent to the publication of the manuscript in JSSC, should the article be accepted by the Editor-in-chief upon completion of the refereeing process.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Leysen, L., Cools, W., Nijs, J. et al. The mediating effect of pain catastrophizing and perceived injustice in the relationship of pain on health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer 29, 5653–5661 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06011-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06011-4

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