The moderating role of defense mechanisms in the relationship between death anxiety and posttraumatic growth in individuals diagnosed with cancer

This study aims to investigate the moderating role of defense mechanisms in the relationship between death anxiety and posttraumatic growth among individuals diagnosed with cancer. Employing a cross-sectional design within the framework of quantitative methodology, the study included 212 adult participants aged 18 and over, who had received a cancer diagnosis at any stage and type, and who were either undergoing active treatment or had completed it. Participants completed a battery of self-report measures, including a Sociodemographic and Cancer-Related Information Form, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, the Death Anxiety Scale, and the Defense Style Questionnaire. The data for the study were obtained through online survey forms. In the data analysis, Independent Samples t-test, ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis test, Pearson correlation analysis, and hierarchical regression moderation analysis were conducted. The findings revealed no statistically significant association between death anxiety and posttraumatic growth, nor did defense mechanisms function as moderators in this relationship. Nevertheless, mature defense mechanisms were found to significantly and positively predict posttraumatic growth. Similarly, both neurotic and immature defenses also emerged as significant positive predictors of posttraumatic growth. Death anxiety, on the other hand, was found to be positively correlated only with neurotic defenses, showing no meaningful relationship with either immature or mature defenses. Regarding sociodemographic factors, employment status was the only variable found to significantly influence posttraumatic growth, with employed individuals reporting higher levels than their unemployed counterparts. Moreover, death anxiety levels differed significantly based on income levels, with individuals in the higher-income group reporting greater levels of anxiety. With respect to illness-related variables, only the time since diagnosis was found to affect death anxiety significantly. Specifically, individuals who had been diagnosed 7 to 12 months prior reported higher levels of death anxiety compared to those diagnosed within 0–6 months or more than 13 months ago. In conclusion, the research findings reveal that while all three categories of defense mechanisms may play a predictive role in posttraumatic growth, they do not moderate the relationship between death anxiety and posttraumatic growth. The study also underscores the influence of certain sociodemographic and cancer-related factors on psychological responses in cancer patients. Results are discussed in the light of existing literature, and implications for future research and clinical practice are addressed.