A Study on the Relationships Among Character Strengths, Perceived Social Support and Subjective Well-Being of Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose: Subjective well-being is a key factor affecting the overall quality of life of cancer patients. The aim of this study was to provide information on improving the level of happiness to breast cancer patients by exploring the relationships among character strengths, perceived social support and subjective well-being. Methods: A total of 181 breast cancer patients were enrolled. Participants completed a general information questionnaire, the values in action inventory of strengths questionnaire, the perceived social support scale questionnaire, and the index of well-being questionnaire. Results: The subjective well-being and perceived social support of breast cancer patients were positively correlated with their character strengths (r = 0.167-0.630, all P < 0.05). Perceived social support played a mediating role between the four traits of character strength and subjective well-being. The percentages of the mediating effects that comprised the total effects were 26.3% for perceptual—self-focused, 26.5% for perceptual—other-focused, 23.5% for rational—self-focused, and 23.7% for rational—other-focused. Conclusion: Breast cancer patients’ subjective well-being can be improved by their character strengths and high levels of perceived social support.