A structural equation model analysis of the relationship between social support and depression in lung cancer patients: the mediating role of learned helplessness and self-efficacy

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship among social support, self-efficacy, learned helplessness and depression in lung cancer patients. 420 patients diagnosed with lung cancer were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Chongqing from August 2022 to August 2023 using convenience sampling. The structural equation model was performed to test the mediating role of learned helplessness and self-efficacy in the relationship between social support and depressive symptoms in patients with lung cancer. The results showed that social support had a direct (β = -.58, p = .002), and indirect relationship with depressive symptoms through the mediator of learned helplessness (β = -.16, p < .001) and self-efficacy (β = -.12, p = .001). This study found that learned helplessness, self-efficacy and social support were associated with depressive symptoms in lung cancer patients. It is important to regularly evaluate the mental state of lung cancer patients and develop effective interventions.Clinical staff can strengthen patient social support, provide relevant consultation, education, and help, reduce the level of learned helplessness, and improve self-efficacy to prevent depression in patients with lung cancer.