Correlation between treatment-related symptom burden and psychological flexibility in patients with cervical cancer and their combined correlational association with emotional distress

Vollständiger Abstract

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Objective To explore the correlation between treatment-related symptom burden and psychological flexibility in patients with cervical cancer, as well as the combined correlational association of these two factors with patients’ emotional distress, so as to provide a theoretical basis for formulating targeted psychological intervention strategies in clinical practice. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 216 patients with cervical cancer who received treatment in our hospital from June 2025 to January 2026 were selected as the research subjects. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS), the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory-24 (MPFI-24), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relationships among symptom burden, psychological flexibility, and different dimensions of emotional distress. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to examine the correlational association of the interaction between symptom burden and psychological flexibility on emotional distress. Results Showed that the total HADS score of the 216 patients with cervical cancer was (14.32 ± 4.56) points, with an emotional distress detection rate of 48.15%. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the total symptom burden score and its subscale scores were positively correlated with the anxiety and depression subscale scores of HADS ( P < 0.05). The total MPFI-24 score, its subscale scores, and the AAQ-II score were negatively correlated with the anxiety and depression subscale scores of HADS ( P < 0. 05). In addition, the total symptom burden score was negatively correlated with the total MPFI-24 score and the AAQ-II score ( P < 0.05). Hierarchical regression analysis further showed that, after controlling for general demographic and disease-related variables, symptom burden and psychological flexibility were independent correlates of emotional distress, and their interaction had a significant correlational association on emotional distress ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Patients with cervical cancer experience a significant treatment-related symptom burden and relatively low levels of psychological flexibility, and both factors jointly affect patients’ emotional states. In clinical practice, comprehensive intervention measures aimed at reducing symptom burden and improving psychological flexibility may help alleviate emotional distress and enhance the quality of life of these patients.