Abstract LB145: The relationship of socio-behavioral factors to the symptom experience of Asian American breast cancer survivors: a structural equation model
Authors: Kim Seo Yun , KIM Heejung , Chee Wonshik , Im Eun-ok 
Published: April 2023

Background: Despite an increasing number of studies among breast cancer survivors, little is known about how socio-behavioral factors influence the symptom experience of racial/ethnic minority breast cancer survivors, especially Asian American breast cancer survivors. The identified socio-behavioral factors could give directions for development of unique intervention components that are tailored to a specific population in needs.

Purpose: This study examined the relationship of multiple socio-behavioral factors including attitudes, perceived barriers, social influences, and self-efficacy to the symptom experiences of Asian American breast cancer survivors.

Methods: This secondary analysis was conducted using data collected from 195 Asian American female breast cancer survivors. Subjects were recruited from January 2017 to June 2020 through online and offline communities and groups. The study variables were measured using validated instruments such as the Questions on Attitudes, Self-Efficacy, Perceived Barriers, and Social Influences (QASPS); the Cancer Behavior Inventory (CBI); and the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form (MSAS-SF). The hypothetical model was built based on Bandura’s self-efficacy theory. Mediation analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling with SPSS version 26.0 and Amos 28.

Results: The overall fitness of the hypothetical model to the data was acceptable (χ2=51.36, p&lt;.001, the goodness of fit index [GFI] = .95, adjusted GFI [AGFI] = .89, comparative fit index [CFI] = .96, Tucker-Lewis index [TLI] = .94, normed fit index [NFI] = .94, and root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = .08 Attitude and perceived barrier and social influence had a significant direct effect on self-efficacy (direct effect, β = 0.247, p =.003; β = -0.552, p =.003; β = 0.241, p =.002, respectively). Attitudes indirectly influenced symptom distress scores through self-efficacy (β =-0.054, p = .019). Perceived barriers had a significant direct effect (β = 0.605, p=.003), indirect effect (indirect effect, β = 0.121, p =.024), and a total effect on symptom distress scores (total effect, β = 0.726, p =.004). In addition, social influence had an indirect effect on symptom distress scores through self-efficacy (β = -0.053, p = .017)

Conclusions: The findings supported that the self-efficacy for coping had a mediating effect on their symptom experience among Asian American breast cancer survivors as well as identified meaningful associations with attitudes, perceived barriers and social influences and symptom experience. Future research and practice should consider socio-behavioral factors, especially self-efficacy, in symptom management of Asian American breast cancer survivors.

Acknowledgments: The parent study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NCI/NINR; 1R01CA203719).

Citation Format: Seo Yun Kim, Heejung KIM, Wonshik Chee, Eun-ok Im. The relationship of socio-behavioral factors to the symptom experience of Asian American breast cancer survivors: a structural equation model [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 2 (Clinical Trials and Late-Breaking Research); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(8_Suppl):Abstract nr LB145.