Depression as a Mediator or Moderator Between Preparatory Grief and Sense of Dignity in Patients With Advanced Cancer

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the relationship between depression, preparatory grief, and loss of dignity in patients with advanced cancer and whether depression has a mediator and/or a mediator role between preparatory grief and dignity. The participants were 120 patients with advanced cancer who completed the Greek version of the Patient Dignity Inventory, the Greek Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Preparatory Grief in Advanced Cancer Patients questionnaire. Depression was highly correlated with preparatory grief and loss of dignity. Additionally, strong relationship was found between preparatory grief and loss of dignity. Mediation analyses revealed that preparatory grief influenced loss of dignity as well as indirectly by its effect on depression. However, there was not any affect of depression as moderator. The effect of depression on preparatory grief in patients with advanced cancer and dignity emphasizing the need for further research to confirm the current relationship as well as the need for treatment of depression.

The WHOQOL-BREF instrument: Psychometric evaluation of the Greek version in patients with advanced cancer and pain and associations with psychological distress

“…It should be emphasized that depression in patients with advanced cancer is closely associated with the preparatory phase of bereavement and grief, and distinction between the two is often extremely difficult (Parpa et al, 2019). Preparatory grief is a normal process of adaptation at the spiritual, psychological, organic, and social level and encompasses existential loneliness, despair, social withdrawal, and distancing from friends and relatives (Mystakidou et al, 2008;Vergo et al, 2017).…”