The Mediating Roles of Self‐Disclosure and Social Support in the Relationship Between Self‐Perceived Burden and Benefit Finding Among Postoperative Colorectal Cancer Patients
Yi Long Zhou, Ya Jing Wang, Jing Jing Guo, Jia Wen, Hui Fang GuoABSTRACT
Aim
To explore the mediating roles of social support and self‐disclosure in the association between self‐perceived burden and benefit finding among postoperative colorectal cancer patients and to provide evidence that may inform nursing practice.
Design
A cross‐sectional descriptive study.
Methods
From November 2023 to June 2024, 165 patients who had undergone colorectal cancer surgery were recruited from a Class III Grade A hospital in China using convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Benefit Finding Scale, Self‐Perceived Burden Scale, Social Support Rating Scale, and The Distress Disclosure Index Scale. Correlation analysis and mediation effect tests were conducted.
Results
Benefit finding was negatively correlated with self‐perceived burden (r = −0.687, p < 0.01) and positively correlated with self‐disclosure and social support ( r = 0.712, 0.696, p < 0.01). Self‐perceived burden is associated with benefit finding through three mediating pathways: the mediating effect of social support was −0.193 (28.2% of the total effect); the mediating effect of self‐disclosure was −0.153 (22.3%); and the chain mediating effect of social support and self‐disclosure was −0.049 (7.1%).
Patient or Public Contribution
No Patient or Public Contribution.
Implications for Nursing Practice
This study suggests that assessment of self‐perceived burden may be considered as part of routine nursing assessment for postoperative colorectal cancer patients. Interventions aimed at enhancing social support and encouraging self‐disclosure may be worthy of further investigation, as these factors were associated with higher levels of benefit finding in this study.