A causal model of health-related quality of life in colorectal cancer patients post-surgery

Purpose

this study aims to develop and test a model examining the causal relationship between self-efficacy, social support, fatigue, pain, functional status, and health-related quality of life (HRQL).

Methods

A cross-sectional correlation study was conducted using a multi-stage sampling technique to recruit 256 individuals aged 20 to 59 with colorectal cancer (CRC) post-surgery from three hospitals in Northern Vietnam. The hypothesized model, based on Ferrans’ HRQL conceptual model and literature review, was validated using structural equation modeling (SEM) and Mplus.

Results

the model fit the data well, explaining 52% of the variance of HRQL. Self-efficacy emerged as the most influential factor directly impacting HRQL (β = .494, p < .05) and also had negative indirect effects on HRQL through fatigue and pain (β = −.271, p < .05). Social support had a positive direct (β = .406, p < .001) and negative indirect effects on HRQL via fatigue and pain (β = −.143, p < .05). Fatigue and pain had negative indirect effects on HRQL through functional status (β = −.336, p < .05 and β = −.219, p < .05, respectively). Functional status had a positive direct effect on HRQL (β = .418, p < .001).

Conclusions

The study's findings highlight the importance of improving self-efficacy, social support, and functional status, while reducing fatigue and pain to enhance HRQL among individuals with CRCpost-surgery. These insights can inform the development of targeted interventions to improve the well-being of this population.