The Mediating Role of Self-Perceived Burden Between Social Support and Fear of Progression in Renal Transplant Recipients: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE: To explore the mechanism of social support and fear of progression (FoP) in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) and the self-perceived burden that acts as a mediator between social support and FoP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), the Self-Perceived Burden Scale (SPBS), and the Fear of Progression-Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF) were used. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the mediating role of self-perceived burden. RESULTS: Our results showed that social support was negatively related to the self-perceived burden (r = −0.28, p < 0.001) and FoP (r = −0.37, p < 0.001). Moreover, we determined that self-perceived burden was positively related to FoP (r = 0.58, p < 0.001) and that the indirect effect of social support on FoP via self-perceived burden was significant (β = −0.172, 95% CI: −0.253, −0.097), and with a mediating effect value of 36.9%. CONCLUSION: The FoP in RTRs is a concern. Higher social support and lower self-perceived burden can reduce the risk of FoP. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) should assist RTRs in correctly evaluating an individual’s social support system, helping them optimize social support to reduce the self-perceived burden and the development of FoP.