The mediating effect of resilience on happiness of advanced lung cancer patients

Abstract

Purpose To identify the perceived level of lung cancer stigma, resilience, and happiness among advanced lung cancer patients during treatment, and to analyze the mediating effect of resilience in the relationship between stigma and happiness. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 184 patients diagnosed with advanced lung cancer were recruited from the National Cancer Center in Korea. Lung cancer stigma, resilience, and happiness were measured using questionnaires. Results Findings indicate that whereas lung cancer stigma had a negative correlation with resilience and happiness, resilience had a positive correlation with happiness. There was a significant indirect effect of stigma on happiness through resilience, indicating a mediating effect of resilience. Conclusions The results make significant contributions, like the importance of encouraging patients with non-judgmental approach, to clinical practices related to happiness of individuals with advanced cancer. It suggests that the stigma of advanced lung cancer patient can be overcome with enough resilience, and patients may experience happiness during treatment.