CORRELATION OF POSITIVE THINKING WITH SELF-ESTEEM IN POST-MASTECTOMY PATIENTS

Abstract

 Breast cancer is a leading cause of death among women worldwide. According to 2021 WHO data, there were 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer and 685,000 associated deaths. In Indonesia, the 2021 Indonesia Health Profile reported 3,040 suspected breast cancer cases and 18,150 cases of lumps or tumors. Mastectomy, a treatment for breast cancer, can lead to physical and psychological changes that result in lowered self-esteem. Positive thinking is believed to play a role in enhancing a patient's ability to accept their condition following a mastectomy. To determine the relationship between positive thinking and self-esteem in post-mastectomy patients at General Hospital (RSUD) Jenderal Ahmad Yani, Metro City, in 2026.This study employed a quantitative method with an analytical, cross-sectional design. The study population consisted of 131 post-mastectomy patients, with a sample of 57 respondents selected using accidental sampling. The independent variable was positive thinking, while the dependent variable was self-esteem. Data collection was conducted using questionnaires on positive thinking and self-esteem. Data analysis was performed using the Chi-Square test. The majority of respondents exhibited positive thinking (n=48; 84.2%) and high self-esteem (n=45; 78.9%). Bivariate analysis revealed a significant relationship between positive thinking and self-esteem in post-mastectomy patients (p = 0.006). Patients who engaged in positive thinking tended to have higher self-esteem compared to those who engaged in negative thinking.

There is a significant relationship between positive thinking and self-esteem among post-mastectomy patients at General Hospital (RSUD) Jenderal Ahmad Yani, Metro City, in 2026. Enhancing positive thinking patterns is expected to serve as a strategy to boost self-esteem, thereby helping patients adapt to the physical and psychological changes following a mastectomy.