Experiences of women with ovarian cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: Examining intolerance of uncertainty and fear of COVID-19 in relation to psychological distress

Abstract

Purpose

Our research aimed to examine the role of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) in psychological distress (PD) among women with ovarian cancer. Fear of COVID-19 (FCOV) was examined as a mediator, and participant health status and the reopening status of their geographic region were examined as moderators.

Design

A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed.

Participants

Participants (n = 100) were recruited through various online sources and completed the study via Qualtrics.

Methods

Moderated mediation models and post-hoc linear regression analyses were used to determine the role of predictor variables in PD.

Results

No significant moderators or mediators were found. Despite a strong correlation between FCOV and IU, both variables explained unique variance in the anxiety and stress models, while FCOV was not significant in the depressive symptoms model.

Implications for Providers

Both IU and FCOV should be considered in helping women with ovarian cancer manage their PD during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords:

• Fear of COVID-19
• intolerance of uncertainty
• ovarian cancer
• perceived health status
• psychological distress
• reopening status