The Mediating Role of Cancer Self-Efficacy in the Relationship Between Mindfulness and Death Anxiety in Patients with Cancer

Abstract

Background: Investigating the relationship between mindfulness, cancer self-efficacy, and death anxiety in patients with cancer is crucial for understanding how these factors influence emotional well-being. Insights from such research can guide the development of psychological interventions aimed at enhancing quality of life for cancer patients. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to explore the relationship between mindfulness and death anxiety in cancer patients, focusing on the mediating role of cancer self-efficacy. Methods: This study employed a descriptive correlational design and utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the relationships. A convenience sample of 302 cancer patients from Tehran (2023) completed three questionnaires: The Death Anxiety Scale, the Mindfulness Questionnaire, and the Cancer Behavior Inventory. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the proposed model, while the bootstrap method assessed the indirect effects. Results: The study found a significant negative relationship between mindfulness and cancer self-efficacy, and between cancer self-efficacy and death anxiety (P < 0.001). There was no direct relationship between mindfulness and death anxiety; however, cancer self-efficacy was found to mediate this relationship (P < 0.001). The model demonstrated a good fit with indices: RMSEA = 0.065, CFI = 0.96, and TLI = 0.95. Conclusions: These findings suggest that mindfulness indirectly reduces death anxiety in cancer patients by enhancing cancer self-efficacy. This highlights the potential effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in improving the emotional and psychological health of individuals diagnosed with cancer