BackgroundSocial support and benefit finding (BF) are important for cancer patients. The relationship between social support and BF has not been studied sufficiently in patients with advanced cancer, and the mechanism through which social support might influence BF is unclear.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between social support and BF in Chinese patients with advanced cancer as mediated by their perceptions of spirituality.MethodsThis was a correlation study with a cross-sectional design. We recruited advanced-cancer patients (n = 208) from China. Patients’ sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were collected, and they were asked to complete the Benefit Finding Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List.ResultsSocial support was associated with greater spirituality and greater BF (P < .01). Spirituality was positively correlated with BF (P < .01). Results from mediation analysis identified that both the indirect effect of social support on BF via spirituality (indirect effect, 0.268; 95% confidence interval, 0.147–0.419) and its direct effect on BF (direct effect, 0.233; 95% confidence interval, 0.031–0.429) were statistically significant, suggesting a partial mediatory effect of spirituality between social support and BF.ConclusionsOur findings supported a positive association between social support and BF among Chinese advanced-cancer patients. The mediatory role of spirituality should provide a new perspective for augmentation of BF in these patients.Implications for PracticeInterventions that help enhance social support and spirituality in patients with advanced cancer could facilitate their BF.

Purpose To assess the quality of life (QOL) of elderly lung cancer patients on chemotherapy and explore factors that influence it. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with elderly lung cancer patients on chemotherapy at a single cancer center in Chengdu China.Participants completed the Medical Coping Modality Questionnaire, Nutrition Risk Screening 2002, and Distress Thermometer.QOL was assessed using the Function Assessment Cancer Therapy-Lung Module.Multiple linear regression was performed to identify factors independently associated with QOL. Results The 211 lung cancer patients were 65.81 ± 3.61 year old,their total QOL score was94.65 ± 16.51, and their lung cancer-specific module score was 25.64 ± 4.41. Multiple linear regression identified the following factors as associated with QOL, which together explained 47% of observed variance: place of residence, risk of malnutrition, level of psychological distress, and type of coping strategies (adjusted R2 = 0.47, p < 0.001). Conclusion Elderly lung cancer patients on chemotherapy are at risk of poor QOL, which may be improved through timely screening to identify those at risk of malnutrition and through interventions to reduce psychological distress and promote positive coping strategies.