Effects of Perceived Control in the Relationship Between Psychological Distress and Posttraumatic Growth After Glioma...

Glioma patients experience significant psychological distress which is a concern frequently overlooked by healthcare professionals during treatment and follow-up. What's more, research exploring perceived control as a potential mediator in psychological health is limited. Herein we conducted a prospective study investigating perceived control as a mediator to assess the causal relationships among psychological distress, perceived control, and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in glioma survivors. A total of 300 glioma patients were recruited and evaluated using the Psychological Distress Thermometer, Perceived Control Scale, and PTG Scale during first admission (T1), 1 month post-discharge (T2), and 3 months post-discharge (T3). Results indicated that glioma patients experienced significant psychological distress. With time flowing, the levels of psychological distress are decreasing, while perceived control and PTG are increasing. Importantly, both the initial level and the rate of change of perceived control moderated the relationship between psychological distress and PTG in glioma patients. The critical role of perceived control in patients' psychosocial adjustment to the disease emphasizes the necessity to address the mental health needs of glioma patients and to develop appropriate interventions for improved future care.