Depression, hope and social support among older people with cancer: a comparison of Muslim Palestinian and Jewish Israeli cancer patients

Abstract

Objectives: Studies concerning the psychosocial aspects of cancer diagnosis and treatment among older Muslim patients are scarce. The goal of this research was to compare depression, hope, and perceived social support between older Muslim Palestinians and Jewish Israelis diagnosed with cancer.Design: The study sample included 149 Muslim Palestinian and 122 Jewish Israeli cancer patients. Outcome measures: Self-administered measures of depression (5-Item Geriatric Depression Scale) and perceived social support (Cancer Perceived Agents of Social Support Questionnaire). Hope was measured via Snyder's Adult Hope Scale and 6 speci c hope items.Results: General hope was signi cantly higher among Muslim patients, speci c hope items were signi cantly higher among Jewish patients, and depression was signi cantly higher among Muslim patients. Hope was the most signi cant predictor of depression in both samples, particularly among Jewish patients, with higher hope relating to lower depression. Conclusion:Healthcare providers should show cultural sensitivity and incorporate the perspectives of older cancer patients and their families in order to improve patients' psychological well-being. The inclusion of the concept and language of hope within the therapeutic dialogue may improve psychological wellbeing and synchronize the needs and expectations of patients, caregivers, and health care professionals, resulting in more equitable and value-oriented care.

Assessment of depression symptoms among cancer patients: a cross-sectional study from a developing country

“…Regarding educational level, we found that cancer patients with low educational levels had more depression, which is similar to the findings of other studies 31,32 . However, other publications did not show a significant difference between the two variables of education level and depression 19,33 .…”