The Mediation Effect of Anxiety Between Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms and Preparatory Grief in Advanced Cancer Patients

ContextThe relationship between anxiety and preparatory grief is complex and poorly understood.ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and preparatory grief in a sample of patients with advanced cancer.MethodsNinety-four patients with advanced cancer completed the Greek version of the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R-Gr), the Anxiety subscale of the Greek Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Preparatory Grief in Advanced Cancer Patients (PGAC) scale.ResultsStatistically significant associations were found between IES-R-Gr subscales, anxiety (P < 0.0005), and PGAC (P < 0.0005).ConclusionSome of the effect of post-traumatic stress symptoms on preparatory grief is mediated by anxiety.