Social Support and Mental Health in Patients with Hematological Diseases: The Moderating Role of Insomnia

Introduction: Patients with hematological diseases (HDs) experience a variety of physiological and psychological symptoms. The purpose was to examine how anxiety, depressive symptoms, insomnia, and mastery are associated with perceived social support and mental health in patients with HDs. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 120 patients with HDs participated at a Swedish University hospital. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Perceived social support, mental health, insomnia, and mastery were measured using Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, the Mental Component Score from the Short-Form Health Survey-12, and Minimal Insomnia Symptoms Scale and Pearlin Mastery Scale, respectively. Structural equation modeling was performed to analyze the data. Results: Associations between depressive symptoms and perceived social support differed depending on the insomnia symptom scores. Conclusion: Health-care personnel should routinely assess not only patients’ levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms but also their insomnia to identify areas suitable for interventions to improve social support, as well as patient’s mental health.