The mediating role of cognitive emotion regulation in the relationship between self‐concealment and quality of life among breast cancer chemotherapy patients

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to explore whether self‐concealment (SC) affects the quality of life (QOL), and whether cognitive emotion regulation (CER) mediates the relationship between SC and QOL among breast cancer chemotherapy patients. Methods This cross‐sectional study was conducted among 228 breast cancer chemotherapy patients from November 2021 to March 2022 in Anhui Province, China. Data were collected using the Self‐Concealment Scale, Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and Short Form 36 Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, independent‐sample t test, one‐way analysis of variance, and structural equation modeling were used to explore associations among SC, CER, and QOL. Results QOL levels differed significantly by participant age, monthly per capita household income and home location. SC was negatively correlated with QOL. SSC was negatively correlated with adaptive‐CER strategies and positively correlated with maladaptive‐CER strategies. Adaptive‐CER strategies were positively correlated with QOL. Maladaptive‐CER strategies were negatively correlated with QOL. CER fully mediated the association between SC and QOL in breast cancer chemotherapy patients. Conclusion Nursing staff should help breast cancer chemotherapy patients reduce the use of maladaptive‐CER strategies in the care of patients in the future. Helping patients reduce SC is more conductive to improving the QOL of breast cancer chemotherapy patients.