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Spiritual well-being mediates the association between attachment insecurity and psychological distress in advanced cancer patients.
- Source :
-
Supportive Care in Cancer . Nov2019, Vol. 27 Issue 11, p4317-4325. 9p. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- <bold>Purpose: </bold>The diagnosis of a terminal disease bears existential challenges, which activate the attachment system. Attachment insecurity, as well as existential resources, such as spiritual well-being, influences patients' extent of psychological distress. Knowledge about the interrelation of these constructs is limited. Based on current research, we assume spiritual well-being to mediate the association of attachment insecurity and psychological distress.<bold>Methods: </bold>We obtained data from the baseline measurement of a randomized controlled trial in advanced cancer patients. Patients were sampled from the University Medical Centers of Hamburg and Leipzig, Germany. Main outcome measures included the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Death and Dying Distress Scale (DADDS), the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp), and the Experience in Close Relationships Scale (ECR-M16) for assessing attachment insecurity. We tested the mediation hypothesis with two regression analyses using bootstrapping procedure.<bold>Results: </bold>A total of 190 patients were included. Spiritual well-being mediated the association of attachment insecurity and depression (R2 = 11%), as well as death anxiety (R2 = 15%), in fearful-avoidant attached patients. Neither dismissingly nor preoccupied attached patients differ in terms of spiritual well-being and psychological distress in comparison with secure attached patients.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>Spiritual well-being plays a relevant role in advanced cancer patient's mental health through mediating the association of attachment and psychological distress. Developing a better understanding of the interdependency of the constructs of spiritual well-being and attachment can help to develop individually tailored advanced cancer care programs and psychotherapeutic interventions.<bold>Trial Registration: </bold>NCT02051660. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09414355
- Volume :
- 27
- Issue :
- 11
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Supportive Care in Cancer
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 139255767
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-04744-x