Abstract

This study was performed to evaluate relationships between different demographic variables and hopelessness and depression in end of life Turkish cancer patients. This study was a descriptive survey with repeated measures conducted a university hospital in the city of Erzurum, in the eastern part of Turkey. The study enrolled 216 patients undergoing palliative treatment at the hospital. Data were collected using questionnaires (demographic questionnaire, Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Beck Depression Scale (BDS) and analyzed for demographic and disease-related variable effects on hopelessness and depression. Th hopelessness score was significantly high in female, illiterate, married, and living in rural areas cancer patients. Both hopelessness and depression scores were significantly higher with longer disease duration, receiving radiotherapy treatment, and having metastatic disease. These findings demonstrate the coexistence of the physical, psychological, and cognitive problems faced by patients with cancer. Nurses can conduct brief screening assessments to identify patients with probable distress and and psychosocial support, as well as referrals to support services.

Highlights

  • Cancer is one of the most frequent causes of death in the world and receiving a diagnosis of cancer is an extremely stressful experience (Efficace and Marrone, 2002)

  • Depression is the most common psychological problem encountered in patients with cancer, and effective coping strategies are to necessitate treatment and disease related psychological problem

  • The results indicated that depression and hopelessness were more strongly related to each other

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Summary

Introduction

Cancer is one of the most frequent causes of death in the world and receiving a diagnosis of cancer is an extremely stressful experience (Efficace and Marrone, 2002). A sense of hopelessness seems to lead to increasingly negative evaluations of new situations and less effective coping strategies; the perception is that one will not accomplish anything meaningful (Avci et al, 2009). Both depression and hopelessness are risk factors for suicidal ideation and suicide patients who are depressed may have physical symptoms which are difficult to palliate and which may improve as their depression is appropriately treated. Results: Th hopelessness score was significantly high in female, illiterate, married, and living in rural areas cancer patients Both hopelessness and depression scores were significantly higher with longer disease duration, receiving radiotherapy treatment, and having metastatic disease. Nurses can conduct brief screening assessments to identify patients with probable distress and and psychosocial support, as well as referrals to support services

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