Predicting Post-Traumatic Growth Based on Health Literacy and Self-Compassion: Mediating Role of Health Locus of Control in Cancer Patients

Introduction: Exposure to stressful experience of cancer is an undeniable research priority. The aim of this study was to predicting post-traumatic growth based on health literacy and self-compassion: mediating role of health locus of control in cancer patients.  Methods: The present study was applied in terms of purpose and correlational researches category. The statistical population of the present study was all patients aged 18 to 65 years with breast, blood, stomach and intestinal cancer going to the oncology ward of Omid and Imam Khomeini hospitals in Urmia in the first half of 1400. By purposeful sampling method, 250 people (121 females and 129 males) were selected. Data collection tools included post-traumatic growth questionnaire, Iranian adult health literacy questionnaire, self-compassion scale and Form C multifaceted scale of Health locus of Control. For data analysis, path analysis method and SPSS software version 23 and LISREL version 8.8 were used. Results: The results showed that the health literacy and self- compassion had a significant positive relationship with post-traumatic growth and health locus of control had a mediating role in the relationship between health literacy, self-compassion and post-traumatic growth (P<0.05). According to the fit indices, the conceptual model had a good fit. Conclusions: The results of this study help health professionals to design and implement beneficial interventions to increase survival, promote health literacy and teach a responsible attitude to control the disease process in people with cancer.