The mediating role of coping in relationship between social support and quality of life

Abstract

Background: Although social support is correlated with quality of life of cancer patients, but few studies investigated related mechanism by which quality of life is affected by social support. Regarding stress situation of cancer, this study aimed to develop a SEM model regarding mediating role of coping strategies to predict the patients’ quality of life based on social support. Methods: 156 breast cancer patients were recruited. Data were collected by FACT-B, MOSS, and coping style questionnaire (Brief COPE). Analysis was performed by Pearson’s correlation, regression and Structural Equation Modeling. Findings: Results showed that in subjects (Mean age=47.14), mean of total social support was 73.47 (SD=20.12). There were significant correlation between social support and quality of life (r=0.445) and problem-focused coping and quality of life (r=0.481). Confirmed Model suggested that problem-focused coping had a positive direct influence on quality of life (t-2.854), whereas the influence of emotional-focused coping was similarly direct but negative (t=-2.866). The influence of social support on quality of life was mediated by both types of copings. Our model could explain 38.9% of quality of life’s variance. Discussion: Social support can change quality of life via changing in coping styles. The study suggested that interventions to enhance the problem-focused coping strategies and social support based on our psychosocial model may be helpful to improve patients’ quality of life. As well, to the extent that interventions can prevent emotional-focused coping in the patients, their quality of life may be improved.