Uncertainty and hope in relation to anxiety and depression in advanced lung cancer

Abstract

Objectives: Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) has been linked to greater psychological distress, whereas hope appears to act as a protective factor against in patients with cancer. The aim of this study is to analyse the modifying effect of uncertainty in the presence of anxiety and depression in patients with advanced lung cancer.

Methods: Multicentre, prospective, observational, cross-sectional study of 145 individuals with advanced lung cancer. Participants completed the following questionnaires: IU Scale, Hert Hope Index, Brief Symptom Inventory.

Results: Among patients with advanced lung cancer, anxiety and depression were prevalent, 30% and 35%, respectively. Uncertainty and hope with respect to their illness negatively affected their psychological distress. Hope and uncertainty accounted for 22% of the variance in anxiety and 34% of depressive symptoms. The hypothesised modifying effects (uncertainty×hope) was not supported in the depressive and anxious symptom models.

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that hope and uncertainty are important considerations in understanding mental health in people diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Identifying patients who lack the resources needed to manage uncertainty and hope in relation to their disease could inform psychosocial intervention provision to improve quality of life.

Keywords: Cancer; Ethics; Lung; Psychological care; Quality of life; Supportive care.