The mediating effect of hope between perceived social support and spiritual well-being in patients with early-stage lung cancer: A cross-sectional study.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived social support, hope, and spiritual well-being in patients with early-stage lung cancer, as well as to explore the mediating role of hope in the association between perceived social support and spiritual well-being.

Methods: This study surveyed 418 patients diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer. Each patient completed the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Herth Hope Index. The data were analyzed using SPSS and Process macros.

Results: The final regression model, which included religion, annual household disposable income, perceived social support, and hope, explained 47.5% of the variance in spiritual well-being. Both perceived social support and hope were positively associated with spiritual well-being. The mediation analysis showed that hope partially mediated the link between perceived social support and spiritual well-being, with perceived social support exerting a significant direct and indirect impact on spiritual well-being (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Research shows that perceived social support directly and indirectly influences the spiritual well-being of early-stage lung cancer patients, with hope serving as a mediating factor that enhances their spiritual well-being.