Associations among fatigue, self-efficacy for managing chronic disease, social support, and demoralization in elderly postoperative stoma patients with colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVES

Demoralization seriously threatens the physical and mental health of elderly patients with colorectal cancer who have undergone ostomy surgery. This study aimed to examine the interrelationships between fatigue, self-efficacy in chronic disease management, social support, and demoralization in a clinical population, with a specific focus on potential mediating pathways among these variables.

METHODS

Participants were administered a series of validated psychometric instruments, including the Fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease 6-Item Scale (SEMCD-S), and the Demoralization Scale (DS), alongside a demographic questionnaire. Structural equation modelling was subsequently employed to analyse the hypothesised mediational pathways.

RESULTS

In the pathway "fatigue - self-efficacy for managing chronic disease - demoralization," the indirect effect was 24.74%. For the pathway "fatigue - social support - demoralization," the indirect effect was 20.55%. Additionally, for the pathway "fatigue - self-efficacy for managing chronic disease - social support - demoralization," the indirect effect was 5.52%.

DISCUSSIONS: The self-efficacy for managing chronic disease and social support serve as mediators in the relationship between fatigue and demoralization. Clinical staff should prioritize the development of a robust social support system for elderly postoperative stoma patients with colorectal cancer. Encouraging patients to express their thoughts can enhance their self-confidence and facilitate resilience in the face of adversity.