Prediction of Addiction Readiness in Cancer Patients Based on the Perception of Social Support with the Mediation of Pain Self-Efficacy and Pain Acceptance

Cancer pain creates negative thoughts and beliefs in patients, which can affect the level of functioning and pain tolerance in these patients. In recent decades, the use of drugs for pain relief in cancer patients has increased dramatically. The present study investigated the mediating role of pain acceptance and pain self-efficacy in the relationship between the perception of social support and readiness for addiction.

The statistical population of this descriptive-correlation study was men and women with cancer in Arak city in 2020-2021. A total of 201 cancer patients referred to Arak hospitals were selected by available sampling method (97 women and 104 men). Perceived Social Support Questionnaire of Zimet et al. (1988), Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire of Nicholas (1980), Chronic Pain Questionnaire of Vowels et al. (2004) and Addiction Readiness Questionnaire by Wade and Butcher (1992) were completed by all the samples. For data analysis, path analysis method was used using SPSS 25 and Amos 24 software.

Two hundred and one patients with an average age of 53.46 ± 10.38 years participated in this research. The results indicated the optimal fit of research model. The results showed that there is a significant negative correlation between the perception of social support, pain acceptance and pain self-efficacy with readiness for addiction (p<0.001) and there is a significant positive correlation between the perception of social support with pain acceptance and pain self-efficacy (p<0.001). In the indirect path, the mediation model of social support perception between pain self-efficacy and pain acceptance with addiction readiness was significant witg the significant level of 0.001 and the standard coefficient (- 0/30).

Strengthening the social support network of individuals, along with developing a sense of self-efficacy and acceptance of uncontrollable aspects, can be considered as preventive treatment goals and plans for patients’ tendency to use drugs for pain relief.