Understanding work ability in breast cancer survivors: A mediational approach to the roles of perceived emotional intelligence and depression

Abstract

Background: The increasing prevalence of breast cancer entails multidimensional challenges regarding its impact on patients' physical, psychosocial, and emotional health. Scientific literature shows that breast cancer survivors face significant difficulties in returning to work, which is closely linked to impaired work ability. Moreover, depression —which affects a high percentage of these women— is associated with a reduced perception of their capacity to perform work-related tasks. Emotional intelligence has been identified as a key factor that may mitigate or exacerbate these difficulties. Objective: To analyze the processes through which perceived emotional intelligence and depression mediate the relationship between breast cancer survivorship and work ability. Method: 821 women participated, divided into two groups: 233 breast cancer survivors and 580 healthy controls. The Work Ability Index, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Trait Meta-Mood Scale were administered. Results: Compared to healthy controls, breast cancer survivors exhibited lower work ability and perceived emotional intelligence, along with higher levels of depression. The overall explanatory power of the mediation model was 37.7%. Work ability was found to be directly impacted by both the experience of breast cancer and the presence of depressive symptoms. Of the six identified indirect effects —both risk and protective— the one with the highest statistical weight predicted improved work ability in breast cancer survivors through the mediated influence of low emotional attention and reduced levels of depression. Conclusions: Psychological interventions should aim to reduce risk factors and enhance protective pathways to promote successful return to work after hospital treatments