The mediating role of self-efficacy of managing chronic disease between the dual-mode of self-control and the fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy

Background: Fatigue is prevalent in breast cancer patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy, which seriously affects physical and mental health. The present study aimed to investigate the relevance of fatigue, the self-efficacy of managing chronic disease (SEMCD), and the dual-mode of self-control (DMSC) in patients. Methods: Three hundred and seventy six breast cancer patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy participated in this cross-sectional study. The General Information Questionnaire, Fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14), SEMCD-Scale (SEMCD-S), and DMSC-Scale (DMSC-S) were utilized to survey. Pearson correlation analysis and structural equation modeling were used for the statistical analysis of the correlation between the variables and mediating effects. Results: A total of 372 valid questionnaires (98.94%) were returned. The total fatigue score of FS-14 was (10.84 ± 1.80), the SEMCD-S score (30.05 ± 15.18), and the DMSC-Scale score (73.35 ± 9.49). Furthermore, physical fatigue was negatively correlated with the SEMCD-S and problem solving (r = −0.764 ~ −0.680, P < 0.01). Mental fatigue correlated positively with poor delay of gratification (r = 0.134, P < 0.05), and the SEMCD-S was also negatively correlated with the impulsivity, distractibility, and poor delay of gratification dimensions (r =-0.229~-0.130, P < 0.05). SEMCD correlated positively with problem-solving and future time perspective (r = 0.695~0.790, P < 0.001). In addition, SEMCD partially mediated the effect between the DMSC and fatigue (β = −0.335, P < 0.01), with the mediating effect accounting for 51.25%. Conclusion: Through SEMCD measure, it was found that DMSC indirectly influences fatigue levels in breast cancer patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy.