The Cognitive Appraisal Path of Physical Activity, Benefit Finding, and Cancer‐Related Fatigue Among Patients With Colorectal Cancer in China: Mediation Model Analysis

Background It has been shown that physical activity (PA) improves health outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. Some studies have explored a few correlates of PA separately. However, the specific factors underlying cognitive appraisals and their pathways remain unclear. Objective To investigate the relationship between benefit finding and PA among patients with colorectal cancer and examine the mediating role of cancer‐related fatigue in this relationship. Methods A cross‐sectional study was performed at the colorectal departments of a hospital in Guangzhou, China between November 2023 and May 2024. A total of 355 patients with colorectal cancer were included in the analysis. Data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire‐Long Form, Benefit Finding Scale, and Cancer Fatigue Scale. Spearman’s correlation and a structural equation model were used to analyze the data. Results Benefit finding directly ( β = 0.20, p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval = 0.09–0.31) and indirectly ( β = 0.04, p = 0.030, 95% confidence interval = 0.01–0.09) influenced PA through cancer‐related fatigue. Moreover, cancer‐related fatigue partially mediated the effect of benefit finding on PA. Conclusions Benefit finding and cancer‐related fatigue directly and indirectly influenced PA among patients with colorectal cancer. Future health education and effective interventions should focus on helping patients actively cope with disease to concurrently increase benefit finding and reduce cancer‐related fatigue. Implications for Nursing The findings provide new insights into PA in patients with colorectal cancer and suggest that developing positive strategies to increase benefit finding and reduce cancer‐related fatigue can thereby improve PA.