Age modulates, religious coping mediates: the role of attitude to self in cancer patients’ quality of life

BackgroundCancer significantly impacts psychological well-being and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This is particularly evident in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) where healthcare disparities exacerbate distress. Cognitive vulnerabilities, including negative generalization, self-cri...

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Main Authors: Maria-Chidi C. Onyedibe, Runcie C.W. Chidebe, Barbara L. Andersen, Uzoamaka F. Ugwoke, Lawrence Ejike Ugwu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1558236/full
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author Maria-Chidi C. Onyedibe
Runcie C.W. Chidebe
Runcie C.W. Chidebe
Runcie C.W. Chidebe
Barbara L. Andersen
Uzoamaka F. Ugwoke
Lawrence Ejike Ugwu
Lawrence Ejike Ugwu
author_facet Maria-Chidi C. Onyedibe
Runcie C.W. Chidebe
Runcie C.W. Chidebe
Runcie C.W. Chidebe
Barbara L. Andersen
Uzoamaka F. Ugwoke
Lawrence Ejike Ugwu
Lawrence Ejike Ugwu
author_sort Maria-Chidi C. Onyedibe
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundCancer significantly impacts psychological well-being and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This is particularly evident in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) where healthcare disparities exacerbate distress. Cognitive vulnerabilities, including negative generalization, self-criticism, and high standards, may influence HRQoL through their effects on coping mechanisms. Religious coping, shaped by cultural norms in LMICs, may mediate these relationships, with age as a potential moderator.ObjectiveThis study examines how attitudes toward self (ATS), religious coping, and age influence HRQoL among cancer patients in an LMIC context.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 565 cancer patients in a University Teaching Hospital, Southwest Nigeria completed a standardized and validated self-report measures of ATS, HRQoL, and religious coping. Mediation and moderation analyses were conducted using SPSS (Version 29) and SmartPLS (Version 4).ResultsNegative generalization (β = −0.25, p < 0.001) and self-criticism (β = −0.19, p < 0.001) reduced physical well-being, while high standards positively influenced emotional well-being (β = 0.27, p < 0.001) but negatively impacted functional well-being (β = −0.13, p < 0.01). Negative religious coping (NRC) mediated the relationships between ATS and HRQoL, amplifying negative effects on physical (β = −0.25, p < 0.001) and functional well-being (β = −0.32, p < 0.001). Age moderated these relationships, with older patients showing sharper declines in physical (β = −0.09, p < 0.01) and functional well-being (β = −0.10, p < 0.01). Positive religious coping had limited effects.ConclusionThe study highlights the significant impact of cognitive vulnerabilities and maladaptive religious coping on the HRQoL of older cancer patients in LMICs. These findings underscore the urgent need for tailored interventions that integrate cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with culturally and religiously sensitive approaches to improve patient outcomes. Policymakers and healthcare providers should prioritize training and resource allocation to address these challenges. Future research should focus on longitudinal patterns of coping, as well as gender-related differences, to develop more inclusive and effective strategies for enhancing the well-being of cancer patients.
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series Frontiers in Psychology
spelling doaj-art-6fce8fbd5c9942a899d2bb427cf6ccd52025-02-12T07:25:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-02-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15582361558236Age modulates, religious coping mediates: the role of attitude to self in cancer patients’ quality of lifeMaria-Chidi C. Onyedibe0Runcie C.W. Chidebe1Runcie C.W. Chidebe2Runcie C.W. Chidebe3Barbara L. Andersen4Uzoamaka F. Ugwoke5Lawrence Ejike Ugwu6Lawrence Ejike Ugwu7Department of Psychology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NigeriaProject PINK BLUE-Health and Psychological Trust Centre, Abuja, NigeriaDepartment of Sociology and Gerontology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United StatesScripps Gerontology Center, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United StatesDepartment of Psychology, Ohio State University, Lima, OH, United StatesPsychology Department, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, NigeriaRenaissance University, Ugbawka, NigeriaFaculty of Humanities, North-West University, Mafikeng, South AfricaBackgroundCancer significantly impacts psychological well-being and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This is particularly evident in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) where healthcare disparities exacerbate distress. Cognitive vulnerabilities, including negative generalization, self-criticism, and high standards, may influence HRQoL through their effects on coping mechanisms. Religious coping, shaped by cultural norms in LMICs, may mediate these relationships, with age as a potential moderator.ObjectiveThis study examines how attitudes toward self (ATS), religious coping, and age influence HRQoL among cancer patients in an LMIC context.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 565 cancer patients in a University Teaching Hospital, Southwest Nigeria completed a standardized and validated self-report measures of ATS, HRQoL, and religious coping. Mediation and moderation analyses were conducted using SPSS (Version 29) and SmartPLS (Version 4).ResultsNegative generalization (β = −0.25, p < 0.001) and self-criticism (β = −0.19, p < 0.001) reduced physical well-being, while high standards positively influenced emotional well-being (β = 0.27, p < 0.001) but negatively impacted functional well-being (β = −0.13, p < 0.01). Negative religious coping (NRC) mediated the relationships between ATS and HRQoL, amplifying negative effects on physical (β = −0.25, p < 0.001) and functional well-being (β = −0.32, p < 0.001). Age moderated these relationships, with older patients showing sharper declines in physical (β = −0.09, p < 0.01) and functional well-being (β = −0.10, p < 0.01). Positive religious coping had limited effects.ConclusionThe study highlights the significant impact of cognitive vulnerabilities and maladaptive religious coping on the HRQoL of older cancer patients in LMICs. These findings underscore the urgent need for tailored interventions that integrate cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with culturally and religiously sensitive approaches to improve patient outcomes. Policymakers and healthcare providers should prioritize training and resource allocation to address these challenges. Future research should focus on longitudinal patterns of coping, as well as gender-related differences, to develop more inclusive and effective strategies for enhancing the well-being of cancer patients.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1558236/fullageattitude towards selfcancerhealth-related quality of lifereligious coping
spellingShingle Maria-Chidi C. Onyedibe
Runcie C.W. Chidebe
Runcie C.W. Chidebe
Runcie C.W. Chidebe
Barbara L. Andersen
Uzoamaka F. Ugwoke
Lawrence Ejike Ugwu
Lawrence Ejike Ugwu
Age modulates, religious coping mediates: the role of attitude to self in cancer patients’ quality of life
Frontiers in Psychology
age
attitude towards self
cancer
health-related quality of life
religious coping
title Age modulates, religious coping mediates: the role of attitude to self in cancer patients’ quality of life
title_full Age modulates, religious coping mediates: the role of attitude to self in cancer patients’ quality of life
title_fullStr Age modulates, religious coping mediates: the role of attitude to self in cancer patients’ quality of life
title_full_unstemmed Age modulates, religious coping mediates: the role of attitude to self in cancer patients’ quality of life
title_short Age modulates, religious coping mediates: the role of attitude to self in cancer patients’ quality of life
title_sort age modulates religious coping mediates the role of attitude to self in cancer patients quality of life
topic age
attitude towards self
cancer
health-related quality of life
religious coping
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1558236/full
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