Illness Perception and Benefit Finding of Thyroid Cancer Survivors: A Chain Mediating Model of Sense of Coherence and Self-disclosure

BACKGROUND: Benefit finding is gaining attention as a strong predictor of quality of life, but few studies have addressed the mechanisms of its development. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between illness perception and benefit finding in female thyroid cancer survivors and to further elucidate the mechanisms by which illness perception contributes to benefit finding through sense of coherence and self-disclosure. METHODS: A total of 280 female thyroid cancer survivors completed the questionnaire between January and August 2023. The study investigated participants' baseline information, illness perception, sense of coherence, self-disclosure, and benefit finding. The bootstrap method was used to test the chain mediation effect. RESULTS: The findings showed that in the chain-mediated model, illness perception negatively predicted sense of coherence ( β = -.475, P < .001) and self-disclosure ( β = -.335, P < .001). Sense of coherence positively predicted self-disclosure ( β = .272, P < .001) and benefit finding ( β = .251, P < .001). Self-disclosure positively predicted benefit finding ( β = .213, P < .001). The separate mediating roles of sense of coherence and self-disclosure between illness perception and benefit finding were both significant, as were the chained mediating roles of sense of coherence, and self-disclosure. CONCLUSION: This study provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the mechanisms of benefit finding and provides precise targets for clinical intervention. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Healthcare professionals can improve mental health outcomes by improving cancer survivors' disease awareness, fostering their sense of coherence, and encouraging moderate self-disclosure to achieve benefit finding.