Experience of grief by patients with cancer in relation to perceptions of illness: The mediating roles of identity centrality, stigma-induced discrimination, and hopefulness

ABSTRACT

Diagnosis of cancer leads to multiple losses, all with the potential to initiate grief reactions in patients. The present study aims to contribute to the understanding of the experience of grief by patients with cancer in relation to perceptions of illness, with a focus on the mediating roles of identity centrality, stigma-induced discrimination, and hopefulness. The analyses indicated that these factors functioned as significant partial mediators. The results have implications in terms of supporting patients through the grieving process by working on the meaning of the illness for their identity and improving psychosocial environments to minimize discrimination and facilitate hope.

KEYWORDS:

• cancer
• grief
• illness perceptions
• identity centrality
• stigma-induced discrimination
• hopefulness