Stigma as a mediator in the impact of cancer-related symptoms on social relationships in survivors

Q: What is the main purpose of this study?

To investigate whether perceived stigma mediates the relationship between cancer-related symptoms and social relationships among cancer patients.

Q: How was the study conducted and who participated?

It used a cross-sectional descriptive design with 250 chemotherapy patients in an oncology hospital in Ankara, Türkiye.

Q: What did the results show about symptoms, stigma, and social relationships?

Cancer-related symptoms were positively correlated with perceived stigma and negatively correlated with social relationships; stigma was also negatively associated with social relationship quality.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Putri

Purpose. The study examines how perceived stigma mediates the relationship between cancer-related symptoms and social relationships among people receiving cancer care. Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive design recruited 250 chemotherapy patients at an oncology hospital in Ankara, Türkiye, collecting data via sociodemographic form and validated scales for symptoms, stigma, and social relationships. Results. Cancer symptoms correlated positively with stigma and negatively with social relationships and stigma-to-relationships links; mediation analysis supported a significant indirect effect. Conclusions. Perceived stigma is a key psychosocial factor that can explain adverse social relationship impacts.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Introduction

Cancer as a global health challenge

Types of stigma and pathways

Palliative and Supportive Care [cambridge.org/pax](cambridge.org/pax) Original Article Cite this article: Bilgehan T, Şekerci Y, Vitale E, Akbaş E, Durnalı A, Toygar I (2026) Stigma as a mediator in the impact of cancer-related symptoms on social relationships in survivors. Palliative and Supportive Care 24, e87, 1–12. [https://doi.org/](https://doi.org/)[ ](https://doi.org/)[10.1017/S1478951526102089](10.1017/S1478951526102089) Received: 2 July 2025 Revised: 20 January 2026 Accepted: 22 February 2026 Keywords: Cancer; chemotherapy; signs and symptoms; stigma; social relationships Corresponding author: Tuğba Bilgehan; Email: [tugbabilgehan@aybu.edu.tr](tugbabilgehan@aybu.edu.tr) © The Author(s), 2026 . Published by Cambridge University Press. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence ([http://creativecommons.org/licenses/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/)[ ](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/)[by-nc-nd/4.0](by-nc-nd/4.0)), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided that no alterations are made and the original article is properly cited. The written permission of Cambridge University Press or the rights holder(s) must be obtained prior to any commercial use and/or adaptation of the article. Stigma as a mediator in the impact of cancer-related symptoms on social relationships in survivors Tuğba Bilgehan, PH. D.1 , Yaşar Şekerci, PH. D.2 , Elsa Vitale, PH. D.3 , Emrah Akbaş, PH. D.4 , Ayşe Durnalı, PH. D.5 and Ismail Toygar, PH. D.6 , 7 1 Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine Nursing, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ankara, Türkiye; 2 Faculty of Communication, Galatasaray University, İstanbul, Türkiye; 3 Department of Mental Health, Local Health Authority Bari, Bari, Italy; 4 Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Social Work, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ankara, Türkiye; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye; 6School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland and 7 Fethiye Faculty of Health Sciences, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Muğla, Türkiye Abstract Purpose. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of perceived stigma in the relationship between cancer-related symptoms and social relationships among cancer patients. Methods. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 250 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in an oncology hospital in Ankara, Türkiye. Data were collected using a sociodemographic form, the Nightingale Symptom Assessment Scale, the Cataldo Lung Cancer Stigma Scale, and the Social Relationship Scale. Descriptive analyses, group comparisons, Pearson correlation, and mediation analysis were performed with SPSS v27.0 and DataTab web-based analysis platform. Results. The findings revealed significant positive correlations between cancer-related symptoms and perceived stigma (r = 0.51, p < .001), and negative correlations between both cancer-related symptoms and social relationships (r = −0.24, p < .001) and stigma and social relationships (r = −0.54, p < .001) . The mediation analysis suggested that perceived stigma may play a mediating role in the relationship between cancer–related symptoms and social relationships, as indicated by a non–significant direct effect and a significant indirect effect. Cancer-related symptoms significantly predicted perceived stigma (B = 0.58, p < .001), and stigma was a significant predictor of decreased social relationship quality (B = −0.72, p < .001) . The indirect effect of cancer-related symptoms on social relationships via stigma was statistically significant (B = −0.42, p < .001), while the direct effect was not (B = −0.27, p = .182) . Conclusions. Perceived stigma is a critical psychosocial factor that may mediate the advers

FAQs

What is the main purpose of this study?

To investigate whether perceived stigma mediates the relationship between cancer-related symptoms and social relationships among cancer patients.

How was the study conducted and who participated?

It used a cross-sectional descriptive design with 250 chemotherapy patients in an oncology hospital in Ankara, Türkiye.

What did the results show about symptoms, stigma, and social relationships?

Cancer-related symptoms were positively correlated with perceived stigma and negatively correlated with social relationships; stigma was also negatively associated with social relationship quality.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Putri