Patient Dignity on the Demoralization and Quality of Life of Inpatients with Cancer: Cross-sectional study

AIM: The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships among demoralization, patient dignity, and quality of life of inpatients with cancer and to identify the predictors and mediators of patient dignity. METHOD: This cross-sectional study involved a sample of 460 patients with cancer. The research instruments were the Patient Dignity Inventory, the Demoralization Scale-Mandarin Version, and the 30-item Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer. RESULTS: Positive correlations were found between demoralization and patient dignity (r=.76, p < .001),but negative correlations were found between demoralization and quality of life (r=-.42, p < .001) andbetween patient dignity and quality of life (r=-.46, p < .001). Patient dignity mediated the relationshipbetween demoralization and quality of life (β= .2599, p < .001). CONCLUSION: These findings confirm that patient dignity mediates the relationship between demoralization and quality of life. They may be used to facilitate patient dignity and reduce demoralization in healthcare settings.