Effects of social support and coping styles on the dynamic evolution of anxiety and depression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients during radiochemotherapy and early recovery: A prospective cohort study

  • Ni Zhou The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou 510220, China; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Liuzhou Worker’s Hospital, Liuzhou 545007, China
  • Mulan Li Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Liuzhou Worker’s Hospital, Liuzhou 545007, China
  • Pinggui Gong The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou 510220, China
  • Cui He The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou 510220, China
  • Hong Peng * The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou 510220, China; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Liuzhou Worker’s Hospital, Liuzhou 545007, China
Article ID: 4348
22 Views
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18282/po4348
Keywords: pharyngeal cancer; social support; coping behaviors; anxiety; depressive symptoms

Abstract

Background: Radiochemotherapy and subsequent rehabilitation impose significant psychological burdens on nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, who often experience anxiety and depression that undermine treatment compliance and quality of life. Previous studies suggest social support and coping styles can buffer psychological distress during cancer treatment; however, longitudinal research examining their dynamic impact during radiochemotherapy and rehabilitation remains scarce. Objective: This study explored the impact of social support and coping styles on changes in anxiety and depression among nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients undergoing radiochemotherapy and rehabilitation, providing a basis for individualized psychological interventions. Methods: A prospective cohort design was adopted. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ) were administered before radiochemotherapy (T0), mid-treatment (T1), treatment completion (T2), and one month post-treatment (T3). Tumor stage and economic burden were also recorded. Changes in anxiety, depression, social support, and coping strategies were analyzed via repeated-measures ANOVA, while linear mixed-effects models evaluated the longitudinal influence of social support and coping styles. Results: Among 180 patients (107 males, 73 females; mean age 51.7 ± 7.2 years), anxiety scores significantly decreased from 6.39 ± 0.94 (T0) to 4.79 ± 0.68 (T3) (F=20.371, P<0.001); depression scores similarly decreased from 6.02 ± 0.68 to 4.63 ± 0.57 (F=18.426, P<0.001). Social support and positive coping increased significantly, while negative coping decreased (all P<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed social support (B=−0.08, P<0.001) and positive coping (B=−0.12, P<0.001) were associated with reduced anxiety and depression, whereas negative coping and economic burden correlated positively (all P<0.01). Stratified analysis confirmed patients with high social support and strong coping skills exhibited consistently lower anxiety and depression (P<0.05). Conclusion: Strengthening social support networks and promoting positive coping strategies effectively reduce anxiety and depression during radiochemotherapy and rehabilitation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, enhancing treatment compliance and emotional well-being.

Published
2026-01-05
How to Cite
Zhou, N., Li, M., Gong, P., He, C., & Peng, H. (2026). Effects of social support and coping styles on the dynamic evolution of anxiety and depression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients during radiochemotherapy and early recovery: A prospective cohort study. Psycho-Oncologie, 20(1), 4348. https://doi.org/10.18282/po4348
Issue
Vol. 20 No. 1 (2026)
Section
Article

Copyright (c) 2026 Ni Zhou, Mulan Li, Pinggui Gong, Cui He, Hong Peng

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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