The associations between spiritual well-being, hope and psychological symptoms in Chinese childhood cancer patients: A path analysis

AimsWe aimed to test a model in which hope and spiritual well-being acted as protective factors against anxiety and depressive symptoms in childhood cancer patients (CCPs). We hypothesized that hope and spiritual well-being were mutually reinforcing factors that would both reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. MethodsUsing path analysis, the hypothetical model was tested on a cross-sectional sample of 412 Chinese CCPs aged 8-17 years. Self-reported measures were used to obtain data on participants' social and clinical characteristics, spiritual well-being, hope, anxiety and depressive symptoms. ResultsThe hypothetical model was supported. Results suggested that sex, treatment type and diagnosis predicted spiritual well-being; diagnosis and time since diagnosis predicted hope. Spiritual well-being and hope were mutually predictive and mutually reinforcing, and were both negatively associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms. This model predicted 40% of the variance in spiritual well-being, 37% in hope, 39% in depressive symptoms, and 28% in anxiety. ConclusionSpiritual well-being and hope were mutually reinforcing and served as protective factors against anxiety and depressive symptoms. These support the value for integrating spiritual and hope elements in developing interventions for CCPs to improve their spiritual and psychological well-being along the disease trajectory.

Automated summary

This study aimed to test a model that examines the protective role of hope and spiritual well-being against anxiety and depressive symptoms in childhood cancer patients. The results showed that hope and spiritual well-being mutually reinforce each other and are negatively associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms. These findings support the integration of spiritual and hope elements in interventions to improve the well-being of pediatric cancer patients.