Goal Satisfaction, Not Attainment, Predicted Occupational Performance Improvement During Behavioral Activation/Problem-Solving Rehabilitation After Breast Cancer

Occupational performance challenges are common among breast cancer survivors (BCS). In a recent randomized controlled trial (RCT), our rehabilitation intervention catalyzed significantly greater improvements in occupational performance compared to an education-based control condition. To describe BCS’ activity priorities and examine what short-term goal characteristics (i.e., focus) and outcomes (i.e., attainment, satisfaction) predicted long-term occupational performance improvement. Post hoc analysis of intervention session data from an RCT. Content analysis was used to summarize participants’ short-term and long-term goals. Linear regressions were conducted to examine associations between weekly goal characteristics and outcomes and occupational performance improvement. Among 138 BCS, 119 (86.2%) set long-term goals focused on exercise. Self-reported satisfaction with weekly goal outcomes was the strongest predictor of occupational performance improvement (η p 2 = 0.14–0.17, p < .001). Satisfaction with short-term goal outcomes, regardless of goal focus or attainment, predicts long-term occupational performance improvement in the year following breast cancer treatment.