Emotional Distress Symptoms, Coping Efficacy, and Social Support: A Network Analysis of Distress and Resources in Persons With Cancer.

This article focuses on using network analysis to examine the structure and interrelations of distress symptoms and resource factors in cancer patients, aiming to improve assessment and intervention strategies. Analyzing data from 992 cancer patients who completed the Distress Screening Schedule (DSS), the study identified loneliness/isolation—a depression symptom—as the most central distress node, closely connected to other symptoms and resource factors such as coping efficacy, seeking social support, and perceiving physicians as caring. The findings highlight the critical role of social components in cancer-related distress and suggest that both risk factors (e.g., loneliness) and resilience resources (e.g., coping skills, social support, patient–provider relationships) should be integrated into distress management. The network model demonstrated better fit than traditional latent factor models, offering a nuanced understanding of symptom interconnections that may inform tailored interventions. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and U.S.-only sample, with recommendations for longitudinal and cross-cultural research to further explore distress dynamics in cancer care.