The mediating role of social support in the relationship between self-disclosure and fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer patients

Aim: To describe self-disclosure, social support, and fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) in breast cancer patients, explore their correlations, analyze factors influencing FCR, and examine the mediating role of social support between self-disclosure and FCR. Design: Cross-sectional survey design. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 350 breast cancer patients recruited from a tertiary tumor hospital in Guangzhou. Data were collected using general information questionnaire, Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form, Distress Disclosure Index, and Social Support Rating Scale. Results: The total FCR score was 33.43 ± 8.00, with 46.3% of patients scoring ≥ 34. Self-disclosure score was 38.75 ± 9.18, and social support score was 70.57 ± 14.04. Univariate analysis showed that age, economic burden, family relationship, and sleep status significantly influenced FCR (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that four variables—patient age, sleep status, self-disclosure, and social support—had a significant impact in the multivariate analysis of the physical health dimension of FCR (P < 0.05); patient age, economic burden, self-disclosure, and social support had a significant impact in the multivariate analysis of the social and family dimension of FCR (P < 0.05). Self-disclosure and social support were negatively correlated with FCR (r = -0.311 to -0.400, P < 0.01). Structural equation modeling revealed that social support partially mediated the relationship between self-disclosure and FCR, with a mediating effect of 30.4%. Patient or Public Contribution: Breast cancer patients who received treatment at a tertiary-level Class A oncology hospital in Guangzhou between February and July 2023.