Su Li1, Nooreen Noordin2, Dan Wang3,*
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.27, No.11, pp. 1797-1812, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.072301
- 28 November 2025
Abstract Background: Communication barriers are a critical yet underexplored determinant of psychological well-being in oncology care, particularly among rural Chinese patients treated in urban hospitals. This study examined how Mandarin proficiency influences emotional distress and identified implications for mental health promotion. Methods: A sequential mixed-methods design was adopted. Quantitative data were collected from 180 rural cancer patients using the Putonghua Proficiency Test (PSC), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Distress Thermometer (DT). Multiple linear regressions estimated covariate-adjusted associations between Mandarin proficiency and distress outcomes, controlling for demographic and clinical factors. Semi-structured interviews with 20… More >