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. 2024 Apr 12;11(6):100483.
doi: 10.1016/j.apjon.2024.100483. eCollection 2024 Jun.

Stigma and quality of life in lung cancer patients: The mediating effect of distress and the moderated mediating effect of social support

Hyewon Lim  1 , Hyunmi Son  2   3 , Gyumin Han  3 , Taehwa Kim  4
Affiliations

Stigma and quality of life in lung cancer patients: The mediating effect of distress and the moderated mediating effect of social support

Hyewon Lim et al. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. .

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the mediating effect of distress on the relationship between stigma and quality of life (QOL) in lung cancer patients, and to explore the moderated mediating effect of social support.

Methods: A total of 184 individuals diagnosed with primary lung cancer participated in the study. Data on general and disease-related characteristics, stigma, distress, QOL, and social support were collected using a comprehensive structured questionnaire. Medical records were also utilized for an in-depth analysis of disease-related attributes. The data were meticulously analyzed using the SPSS PROCESS macro ver. 3.4 for detailed insights.

Results: The findings elucidated a clear pathway whereby stigma negatively impacted patients' QOL through the mediating effect of distress. Interestingly, the extent of this impact was significantly influenced by the presence of friendship support, underscoring its unique moderated mediating role. Conversely, support from family and health care professionals did not demonstrate a significant influence in this context.

Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of addressing stigma and distress to improve the QOL of lung cancer patients. The study highlights the pivotal role of friendship support in moderating this relationship, suggesting the need for tailored interventions to strengthen social networks. These insights provide valuable guidance for developing more nuanced and effective patient support strategies in oncology care.

Keywords: Distress; Lung carcinoma; Quality of life; Social support; Stigma.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A visual representation of the moderated mediation model. IE = Indirect effects of the stigma-distress-quality of life relationship, a = effect of moderated mediation modeling. ∗P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.001.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Friends support moderated the effect of stigma on distress.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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