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

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 < 0.05), illness concealment (β = 0.21, p < 0.05), and emotional support (β = 0.29, p < 0.01) were determinants of depression symptoms. Emotional support mediated the relationship between illness concealment and depression symptoms. Conclusions: Emotional support can help patients reduce the effect of illness concealment on depression symptoms.