Effects of social support and coping styles on the dynamic evolution of anxiety and depression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients during radiochemotherapy and early recovery: A prospective cohort study

Background: Radiochemotherapy and subsequent rehabilitation impose significant psychological burdens on nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, who often experience anxiety and depression that undermine treatment compliance and quality of life. Previous studies suggest social support and coping styles can buffer psychological distress during cancer treatment; however, longitudinal research examining their dynamic impact during radiochemotherapy and rehabilitation remains scarce. Objective: This study explored the impact of social support and coping styles on changes in anxiety and depression among nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients undergoing radiochemotherapy and rehabilitation, providing a basis for individualized psychological interventions. Methods: A prospective cohort design was adopted. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ) were administered before radiochemotherapy (T0), mid-treatment (T1), treatment completion (T2), and one month post-treatment (T3). Tumor stage and economic burden were also recorded. Changes in anxiety, depression, social support, and coping strategies were analyzed via repeated-measures ANOVA, while linear mixed-effects models evaluated the longitudinal influence of social support and coping styles. Results: Among 180 patients (107 males, 73 females; mean age 51.7 ± 7.2 years), anxiety scores significantly decreased from 6.39 ± 0.94 (T0) to 4.79 ± 0.68 (T3) (F=20.371, P