Hopelessness, Perceived Social Support and their Relationship in Iranian Patients with Cancer

Abstract

Objective:Cancer is considered a global health problem and its prevalence has been growing in recent years. The present study was conducted to investigate the role of hopelessness and perceived social support for Iranian patients with cancer.Methods:Convenience sampling was used to select the study sample comprising 100 patients with cancer presenting to the Education and Treatment Center of Valiasr in Zanjan, Iran. A demographic questionnaire, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, and the Social Support from Family and Friends Scale were used to collect the data. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS-16.Results:Of the 98 study patients, 52 (53.1%) were female and the remainder were male. Lung cancer constituted the most prevalent type of cancer (25.5%). The mean hopelessness score was 5.93 ± 4.71. The mean scores for social support provided by family and friends were 10.89 ± 5.61 and 14.94 ± 4.16, respectively. Significantly negative correlations were observed between the mean scores of hopelessness and social support provided by family (P = 0.007; r = −0.270) and friends (P = 0.001; r = −0.327).Conclusion:According to the findings of the present study, Iranian patients with cancer have relatively mild levels of hopelessness and moderate levels of social support. Perceived social support was also found to affect the patients' hopefulness. Given the lack of studies on this subject, it is recommended that further studies are performed.

The Predictor Role of Perceived Social Support and Spiritual Intelligence in Hope Among Thalassemia Patients

“…In line with the results of the present study, studies conducted by Alipour et al ( 40 ) on patients with type II diabetes, Madani et al ( 31 ) on Iranian patients with cancer and Taei et al ( 14 ) on patients with breast cancer revealed a positive correlation between social support and hopefulness. Pehlivan et al ( 41 ) also performed a study on Turkish cancer patients and showed a negative relationship between hopelessness and perceived familial social support.…”

“…The role of perceived social support in spiritual intelligence and hope has been evaluated, as well. The results of the studies conducted by Alipour et al in patients with type II diabetes ( 40 ), Madani et al in Iranian patients with cancer ( 31 ), Taei et al ( 14 ) and Pehlivan et al ( 41 ) in patients with breast cancer showed a positive correlation between social support and hopefulness. Dehbashi et al ( 30 ) also revealed a significant positive relationship between hope and spiritual well-being.…”

“…In the same vein, Perveen ( 29 ) reported high hope levels among thalassemia patients in Pakistan. Dehbashi et al ( 30 ) and Madani et al ( 31 ) also assessed hope among the patients referred to hemodialysis centers and those who suffered from cancer and showed that the mean score of hope was 77.17 (ranging from 12 to 36), which represented a high hope level. In contrast, Hejazi et al ( 32 ) revealed that 17.7% of the hemodialysis patients reported moderate hope levels.…”

“…The quality of services provided for thalassemia patients and creation of electronic health records for patients with major thalassemia in the recent years have inclined individuals to build their future and have plans and be willing to achieve their goals and cope with obstacles ( 34 ). Hope is an internal force, which richens patients’ lives and creates optimism towards the disease, pain, and perspective of death ( 31 ). On the other hand, there may be synergetic mechanisms in various psychological stages of coping with thalassemia, justifying the high score of hope.…”

<p>The Effect of Peer Support on Hope Among Patients Under Hemodialysis</p>

“…36 Accordingly, increase in social support by families could reduce despair in patients with chronic diseases, such as cancer. 37 As mentioned before, social support has been reported to be associated with health in patients with chronic diseases. Peer support was also associated with self-care in patients with diabetes.…”