Factors Influencing Fear of Progression in Endometriosis: A Path Analysis Using the Common-Sense Model
Xinrui Wang1, Yuqing Hou2, Hongyan Wang2
1School of Nursing, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China.
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
|May 13, 2026
Summary
Women with endometriosis experience significant fear of progression, influenced by social support and illness perception. Improving social support and addressing negative illness perceptions can reduce this fear.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive health
- Psychological impact of chronic illness
- Women's health
Background:
- Endometriosis significantly impacts women's quality of life.
- Fear of progression is a common psychological burden in chronic conditions.
- Understanding psychosocial factors is crucial for managing endometriosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore factors contributing to fear of progression in women with endometriosis.
- To investigate the relationship between social support, illness perception, coping strategies, and fear of progression.
- To elucidate the mediating roles of illness perception and coping in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 273 women diagnosed with endometriosis.
- Utilized validated questionnaires: Social Support Rating Scale, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, and Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form.
- Employed descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and path analysis using SPSS and AMOS.
Main Results:
- The average fear of progression score was 30.95 ± 8.15.
- Social support directly reduced fear of progression (effect = -0.176).
- Illness perception and avoidance strategies mediated the effect of social support on fear of progression.
Conclusions:
- Women with endometriosis exhibit moderate to high fear of progression.
- Illness perception and avoidance play key roles in how social support affects fear of progression.
- Interventions should enhance social support and address negative illness perceptions and maladaptive coping.
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