• Linjing Du, Jing Cai, Jiahui Yu, Xing Chen, Xueni Yang, Xiuqun Xu, and Xiaomei Zhang.
• Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China; Medical College of Nantong University, Nantong, China.
• World Neurosurg. 2024 Apr 1; 184: e794e802e794-e802.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the mediating role of perceived social support and illness uncertainty in posttraumatic growth (PTG) and fear of progression (FoP) among young and middle-aged primary brain tumor (PBT) patients.MethodsA total of 252 young and middle-aged benign PBT patients were investigated. Data were collected by using self-designed general and disease-related data questionnaires, PTG Inventory, FoP Questinaire-Short Form, Mischel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, and Perceived Social Support Scale. Parallel mediation effect models were used to explore the relationship between PTG and FoP mediation effects. Bootstrap analysis was conducted to examine the mediation effect of PTG on FoP.ResultsThe total FoP and PTG scores were 35.15 ± 4.85 and 55.04 ± 7.86. Furthermore, mediation effect analyses revealed that perceived social support and illness uncertainty were partially associated with the mediated relationship between PTG and FoP. (std.β = -0.026, P-value = 0.001, std. β = -0.393, P value ＜0.001, respectively).ConclusionsIllness uncertainty and perceived social support were identified as partially parallel mediators between PTG and FoP. Thus, we should ensure adequate social support and improve the enthusiasm and input of family members for better patient recovery. Strengthening the nursing support, reducing the uncertainty of young and middle-aged PBT patients, and improving the patients' PTG can help reduce the fear of disease progression.Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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