Self-perceived burden predicts lower quality of life in advanced cancer patients: the mediating role of existential distress and anxiety

Background Self-perceived burden (SPB) is an important predictor of quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced cancer. However, the mechanism how SPB affects patients’ QoL remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the potential mediating roles of existential distress (ED) and anxiety in the relationship between SPB and QoL. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. 352 advanced cancer patients were recruited from three hospitals in southeast of China. The Self-perceived Burden Scale, the Existential Distress Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Quality-of-Life Concerns in the End of Life Questionnaire were adopted to collect data. Hayes’s bootstrapping method was used to analyze the data. Results SPB was negatively associated with QoL ( P < 0.01). ED and anxiety partially mediated the relationship between SPB and QoL ( P < 0.01). Moreover, ED had direct effects on anxiety, and sequentially QoL ( P < 0.01). The serial multiple mediation model of SPB accounted for 73.25% of the variance in QoL in advanced cancer patients. Conclusions ED and anxiety are important mediating factors between SPB and QoL in advanced cancer patients. To improve patients’ QoL, comprehensive interventions for reducing anxiety and ED are highly recommended in clinical practices.