Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the mediating effect of dyadic coping in the relationship between family functioning and meaning in life in patients with advanced lung cancer and to provide reference for developing intervention studies to improve meaning in life. METHODS: From April to August 2023, 300 inpatients in the oncology department of a Shanghai tertiary hospital were selected by convenience sampling method. The general data questionnaire, Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI), Family Assessment Device (FAD) and Meaning in Life Scale for Advanced Cancer Patients (MiLs) were investigated. SPSS 26.0 software was used for correlation analysis, and PROCESS v3.5 model 4 was used to analyze moderating effects. RESULTS: The three variables exhibit pairwise positive correlations. In the mediated effects model, the direct effect of family function on meaning in life was significant (95% CI 0.21, 0.52); the indirect effect of family function on meaning in life in patients with advanced lung cancer through DC was also significant (95% CI 0.64, 1.12). CONCLUSION: Family function has a direct effect on meaning in life, and an indirect effect via dyadic coping. The latter indicates that adapting the dyadic coping pattern could be used in care provision. Therefore, nursing staff and families can strengthen how family functioning enhances meaning in life by implementing a dyadic-coping-focused intervention program.