Mediating effect of social support on the relationship between illness concealment and depression symptoms in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract Background Depression symptoms are common in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Social support may mediate the effect of illness concealment on depression symptoms. Objective To examine the relationships between illness concealment, dimensions of social support, and depression symptoms and the mediating effect of the dimensions of social support on depression symptoms in PAH patients. Methods A cross-sectional design and convenience sampling were applied. Data were collected with three questionnaires and analyzed with hierarchical regression and the PROCESS macro. Results Ninety-seven participants were enrolled (mean age 50 ± 14 years). In total, 8% had a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 score ≥15. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that education level (β = 0.28, p Conclusions Emotional support can help patients reduce the effect of illness concealment on depression symptoms.