PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to describe the mediating effect of social support and its relationship between distress and quality of life (QoL) of elderly patients with gastric cancer.
METHODS
186 elderly patients who visited an inpatient/outpatient at two cancer hospitals were recruited from May 30 to July 26, 2017. Distress, social support, and QoL were measured using structured questionnaires such as Distress Thermometer and Problem list, Perceived Social Support scale, and QoL scale for Korean patients with cancer. The mediating effects were analyzed by a multiple hierarchical regression.
RESULTS
Distress was found to have significant negative correlations with social support (r=-.47, p < .001) and QoL (r=-.58, p < .001). There was a positive correlation between social support and QoL (r=.72, p < .001). The influencing factors on QoL were education, recurrence, sleep, dietary problem, distress, and social support. These variables were explained 66% of the variance in QoL. The direct effect of distress on QoL was significant (β=-.24, p < .001) and the indirect effect of distress on QoL via social support was significant (z=-4.14, p < .001).
CONCLUSION
Based on this study findings, intervention programs directed at reducing distress by focusing on bolstering social support is recommended to improve QoL in elderly patients with gastric cancer.

Citations

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