The Mediating Role of Perceived Social Support and Locus of Control in the Relationship between Educational Level and Psychological Adjustment in Mothers of Pediatric Cancer Children

Abstract

Aim and Background: Children's cancer is a special bio-psychological status that challenges the perceived social support and locus of control of mothers with different educational levels and affects their psychological adjustment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the direct and indirect role of education, with the mediating role of locus of control and perceived social support, on psychological adjustment of mothers of children with cancer. Methods and Materials: This research is descriptive-correlational. The statistical population of the study consisted of all mothers of children with cancer who referred to the clinics of pediatricians of Mashhad. The sample size of 220 people was selected using targeted sampling method. Data were collected using psychological adjustment to illness scale, Rotter locus of control, multidimensional perceived social support, and demographic characteristics. Findings: According to the results of this study, the increase in education directly and indirectly through increased perceived social support reduced maladjustment (P<.01). Also the increase in education directly related to increase in internal locus of control and decrease in external locus of control but has not indirect relationship on adjustment. Conclusions: According to the findings, it can be concluded that increased education through perceived social support mediates the psychological adjustment of mothers. Increasing levels of education can also lead to an increase in internal control and a decrease in external control.

Keywords

• locus of control
• perceived social support
• demographic characteristics
• psychological adjustment
• cancer.