The positive effect of social support on psychological distress among Chinese lung cancer patients: The mediating role of self-esteem

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effect of social support on psychological distress among Chinese lung cancer patients and clarify the mediating role of self-esteem. Design: A cross-sectional descriptive correlational survey of 441 Chinese lung cancer patients was designed. Methods: Self-esteem was supposed to play a mediating role in the association between social support and psychological distress. We collected demographic information, the Distress Thermometer, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Results: Our revised model demonstrated an acceptable fit to the data (χ2 = 37.489, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.965, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.926, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.099). Social support had a direct effect on self-esteem and psychological distress, and self-esteem had also a direct effect on psychological distress. Meanwhile, self-esteem also partially mediated the relationship between social support and psychological distress among Chinese lung cancer patients.