The mediating role of psychological flexibility in relation to religious coping with psychological distress of mothers with children with leukemia

Introduction: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in children and mothers are one of the care team who facing psychological problems. The purpose of this study was to mediate the role of psychological flexibility in relation to religious coping strategies with the psychological distress of mothers of children with leukemia cancer. Method: The descriptive-correlation method was used. The statistical population consists of all mothers with children with leukemia cancer referred to hospitals in Tehran in 2019-2020. In this study, according to the convenience sampling method, 230 mothers were selected as samples and they were asked to Kessler of psychological distress scale (K-10), religious coping questionnaire (RCQ), and acceptance and action questionnaire-II (AAQ-II). Then the proposed model was analyzed through structural equation modeling. Results: The direct paths of negative religious coping strategy and psychological flexibility on psychological distress were significant. Also, indirect relationship religious coping strategy with psychological distress through moderating role psychological flexibility was significant. Conclusion: The structural model of research was fit and is an important step in identifying the factors that are effective in the psychological distress of mothers of children with cancer.