Nurse-led attribution remodeling training based on the Neuman systems model to enhance resilience, adaptive coping, and attributional style in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial.

Kaina Zhou; Li Yang; Cong Yao; Aining Guo; Fang Zhao; Huan Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2026.105640

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Nurse-led attribution remodeling training based on the Neuman systems model to enhance resilience, adaptive coping, and attributional style in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial.

Kaina Zhou·Li Yang·Cong Yao·Aining Guo·Fang Zhao·Huan Zhang

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Psychological interventions for patients with breast cancer often overlook the critical role of maladaptive attributional style in shaping their adjustment. Therefore, the need for theory-driven, scalable interventions that target cognitive restructuring, particularly during the vulnerable post-diagnosis period, is clear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led attribution remodeling training intervention grounded in the Neuman systems model for improving resilience, adaptive coping, and attributional style among women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A tertiary general hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 130 eligible women newly diagnosed with breast cancer were recruited between March and November 2024. METHODS: A two-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either attribution remodeling training plus routine nursing (n = 65) or routine nursing only (n = 65). The nurse-led attribution remodeling training intervention, delivered via a blended model of in-person sessions and continued support through the WeChat mobile platform, was designed to systematically reshape maladaptive attributions into more adaptive ones. Resilience (primary indicator), coping strategy (i.e., confrontation, avoidance, resignation), and attributional style (secondary indicators) were assessed at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months post-baseline. A linear mixed model was used to analyze the effects of group, time, and group-by-time interactions. Effect sizes (Cohen's D) were calculated based on the means and standard deviations. RESULTS: At the 6-month follow-up, the intervention group had better outcomes than the control group in terms of resilience (mean difference: 1.49, 95% confidence interval: 0.37, 2.61), confrontation coping (3.35 [2.33, 4.37]), and adaptive attributional style (4.16 [3.87, 4.45]). Avoidance coping showed a small increase (0.82 [0.22, 1.42]), whereas resignation coping decreased (-1.66 [-2.49, -0.83]). Group effects and group-by-time interactions were statistically significant for all outcomes. Effect sizes at 6 months ranged from small for resilience (D = 0.28) and avoidance coping (D = 0.26) to moderate for confrontation coping (D = 0.60) and resignation coping reduction (D = -0.51), and large for attributional style (D = 0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Attribution remodeling training is a promising and effective theory-based intervention that can enhance psychological adaptation in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. By strengthening key defense mechanisms, as conceptualized by the Neuman systems model, the program is effective, scalable, and nurse-deliverable for psycho-oncology care, bridging a critical gap in supportive cancer care and empowering nurses as primary psychological support providers. REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2000031827, registered prospectively on April 11, 2020, www.Chictr.or.cn.

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Humans Female Coping Skills Adaptation, Psychological Resilience, Psychological Breast Neoplasms Middle Aged Adult Attributional style Breast cancer Coping strategy Randomized controlled trial Resilience Journal Article Randomized Controlled Trial

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Kaina Zhou, Li Yang, Cong Yao, Aining Guo, Fang Zhao, Huan Zhang. 2026-07-14. Nurse-led attribution remodeling training based on the Neuman systems model to enhance resilience, adaptive coping, and attributional style in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2026.105640

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Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial resource Adaptation, Psychological subject Adult subject Breast Neoplasms subject Coping Skills subject Female subject Humans subject Journal Article subject Middle Aged subject Randomized controlled trials study

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