Motivation and quality of life in breast cancer survivors

Despite the well-established benefits of physical activity for breast cancer survivors (BCS), adherence to exercise guidelines remains strikingly low (5–30%), highlighting the urgent need to identify limitations and employ motivational frameworks to increase intervention effectiveness. This cross-sectional study examined the associations among exercise motivation, physical activity levels, quality of life (QoL), and healthy lifestyle behaviours in BCS, using Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as the theoretical foundation. Thirty-five BCS participated, with a mean age of 59.97 ± 10.80 years. The results showed that the highest scores were recorded in identified regulation, social well-being, sleep habits, and dietary habits, while the lowest were found for physical activity participation and additional concerns. Significant correlations emerged among self-determined motivation, basic psychological needs, lifestyle habits, and QoL, providing valuable insights into their interrelationships. These findings highlight the importance of designing and implementing motivational programs that promote adherence to physical exercise and improve the QoL in this population.