Fertility anxiety partially mediates depression and recurrence fear in reproductive-age cervical cancer patients: A cross-sectional study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND Cervical cancer survivors of childbearing age often face heightened reproductive anxiety due to the direct impact of the disease and its treatments on fertility. This anxiety may exacerbate psychological burdens, including depressive symptoms and fear of recurrence, significantly impacting quality of life. AIM To examine whether reproductive concerns partially mediate the relationship between depressive symptoms and fear of recurrence in cervical cancer patients of childbearing age. METHODS Utilizing a cross-sectional design with convenience sampling, 208 eligible cervical cancer patients (aged 18-45 years, stable condition, and aware of diagnosis) from three tertiary hospitals completed validated questionnaires: The Reproductive Concerns After Cancer Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Fear of Cancer Recurrence Questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the mediating role of reproductive concerns in the relationship between depression and fear of recurrence. RESULTS Reproductive concerns demonstrated significant positive correlations with depression (r = 0.477, P < 0.001) and fear of recurrence (r = 0.426, P < 0.001). Structural equation modeling analysis revealed that reproductive concerns acted as a significant partial mediator between depression and fear of recurrence. The indirect effect via reproductive concerns was significant (β _indirect = 0.152, P < 0.001), accounting for 28.1% of the total effect of depression on fear of recurrence. CONCLUSION Identified path reveals fertility anxiety links depression to recurrence fear. Targeted psych interventions for repro concerns may ease both in childbearing cervical cancer survivors.
Authors: Xin-Ying He, Ying Huang, Cheng-Ping Qiao, Jiao Ma, Xue Han, Xue-Mei Fan, Qin Chen
Language: English
Topic: Cancer survivorship and care
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4414446469