BMC Psychology (Oct 2024)

The link between fear of disease progression and health promotion behaviors in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypoventilation syndrome (OSAHS): the mediating role of social support

  • Fan Zhang,
  • Chunguang Liang,
  • Chunyan Zhang,
  • Kaiyan Xu,
  • Qing Chen,
  • Huameng Xu,
  • Huiying Zhang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02059-z
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract Objective This study aims to assess the levels of social support, fear of disease progression (FOP) and health promotion behaviors in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), and to examine the associations between FOP, social support, and health promotion behaviors in OSAHS patients, with a focus on exploring the mediating role of social support. The findings aim to provide insights for enhancing health promotion behaviors among OSAHS patients in China and to offer a theoretical foundation for healthcare professionals in devising intervention strategies to promote health behaviors in individuals with OSAHS. Methods This cross-sectional study included 307 patients diagnosed with OSAHS in Jinzhou City, Liaoning province. The survey instruments utilized included the Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire, Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Fear of Disease Progression Scale (Fop-Q-SF), and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Scale (HPLP II). Pearson correlation analysis was employed to assess correlations, while multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling were utilized to explore potential mediation effects. Results In the OSAHS patient population, FOP (r=-0.55, p<0.001) and social support (r = 0.60, p<0.001) were found to be significantly correlated with health promotion behaviors. In the mediated effects model, social support was identified as a partial mediator in the association between FOP and health promotion behaviors among OSAHS patients, accounting for 59.00% of the total effect. Conclusion FOP demonstrates a direct relationship with health promotion behaviors in patients with OSAHS, with social support playing a mediating role in this connection. Healthcare professionals are advised to underscore the significance of social support in promoting the health of OSAHS patients to mitigate FOP and consequently improve health promotion behaviors.

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