Quality of working life can protect against cognitive and emotional vulnerability in women living with metastatic breast cancer: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE: Research focusing on the cognitive and emotional health of women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is limited. The focal aim of the current study was to explore how quality of working life was related to global health, perceived cognitive function, anxiety and depression. To this end, women’s experience of employers after MBC diagnosis and its relationship to quality of working life was also explored. METHODS: Women living with MBC (N = 88) completed online questionnaires assessing their global health status, perceived cognitive and emotional vulnerability and their experience of employers following diagnosis. Women working at the time of the study also reported on their quality of working life. RESULTS: Women’s experience of employers after MBC diagnosis was positively related to their quality of working life. Importantly, greater quality of working life met with better perceived cognitive function and global health, as well as lower levels of depression in working women. CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to establish the role of quality of working life in protecting against levels of cognitive vulnerability and emotional vulnerability to depression in women with MBC. We also highlight the importance of having a positive experience with employers. Our findings suggest that educational programmes can be provided to employers to enhance their understanding and awareness of the needs of women with MBC. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Women with MBC may benefit from employers accessing educational (or support) programmes that can increase their awareness of the treatment-related sequelae and needs of women with MBC in the workplace. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11764-022-01169-0.