The dynamic model of social support, attitudes toward pain management strategies, cognition of death, and depression of terminally ill patients

Although there is an array of previous studies that investigated the situation of terminally ill patients, the dynamic interactions between external world and internal psychological states among terminally ill patients have not been thoroughly discussed. This issue may be related to the mechanisms of mental health influenced by social support and other variables, which means it is an important topic to explore. This study aims to address this issue and examines the interrelationships among social support, attitudes toward pain management strategies, cognition of death, and depression in terminally ill patients. This study investigated the ole of social support in enhancing patients' quality of life and reducing depression. Findings indicate that robust social support networks are crucial for improving end-of-life care by positively affecting patients' attitudes towards pain management and their cognition of death. Notably, cognition of death mediates the relationship between social support and depression, suggesting that a healthier acceptance of death can alleviate depressive symptoms. Our results also emphasize the importance of effective pain management strategies that focus on relieving pain rather than extending life, which aligns with patient preferences and significantly impacts their psychological well-being. This study contributes to a better understanding of how external factors like social support and pain management preferences influence the internal psychological states of terminally ill patients, ultimately affecting their end-of-life experience. These insights underline the necessity for a holistic approach in palliative care, integrating comprehensive social support, effective pain management, and psychological care tailored to the patients' needs.