The Pathways From Social Support and Patient Knowledge to Psychological Distress in Atrial Fibrillation: A Path Analysis of the Mediating Role of Uncertainty.

Guided by Mishel theory of uncertainty in illness, this cross-sectional study examined relationships between uncertainty and psychological distress among 300 Taiwanese patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The instruments included the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, Symptom Frequency Subscale of the Symptom Checklist-Frequency and Severity, Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, AF Knowledge Scale, Mishel Uncertainty-in-Illness Scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Path analysis examined the relationships among uncertainty, psychological distress, and related variables. Findings suggest that enhancing social support and AF knowledge through nursing interventions may help reduce uncertainty and psychological distress.