The Impact of Resilience on Perceived Stress among Cancer Patients: The Mediating Role of Social Support

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of resilience on perceived stress and the mediating role of social support. It was conducted on cancer patients using a quantitative approach and a correlational research design. Participants (N = 100) were selected through convenient sampling from the cancer ward of Nishtar Hospital Multan, with prior permission from the hospital administration. Assessment involved administering a questionnaire comprising three scales: a Brief Resilience Scale, a Multidimensional Scale of Social Support, and a Perceived Stress Scale, along with a demographic sheet and informed consent. Data were organized and analyzed using SPSS and Amos. The results revealed a significant correlation among resilience, perceived stress, and social support. Resilience and social support exhibited a significant positive correlation, whereas perceived stress showed a negative correlation with resilience. Additionally, the study found a negative impact of resilience on perceived stress, partially mediated by social support. The study concluded that cancer patients face multiple physiological changes leading to perceived stress, and resilience and social support play crucial roles in coping with these challenges. The research underscores the importance of resilience and social support in mitigating additional perceived stress among cancer patients, suggesting interventions tailored to promote these resilience factors.