Psychological Capital and Flourishing in Women with Breast Cancer: Acceptance as a Mediator

Abstract

Background: Cancer can be associated with positive consequences in addition to traumatic events. Emphasizing these consequences and the benefits of positive psychology can help patients better undergo medical treatment. Objectives: The present study mainly aimed to examine the mediating role of acceptance in the relationship between psychological capital and the flourishing of women with breast cancer. Methods: This study employs a descriptive-correlational design with partial structural equation modeling. A total of 233 breast cancer-suffering women in Isfahan, Iran, were selected using the convenience sampling method. Data were gathered by Flourishing Scale, Psychological Capital Questionnaire, and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II). Results: The results showed the coefficient for the direct path of psychological capital to acceptance and flourishing was positive and significant. Also, acceptance proved to play a mediating role between the psychological capital and the flourishing of women with breast cancer (P < 0.001). The partial mediation model showed good fit, with psychological capital retaining a direct effect on flourishing. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that acceptance mediates the relationship between psychological capital and flourishing in women with breast cancer, highlighting its role as a key mechanism in the psychological flourishing process of women with cancer. This suggests that interventions targeting both psychological capital and acceptance could potentially enhance psychological well-being in this population.