Investigating the Relationship between Religiosity and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Mothers of Children with Cancer Admitted to t Pediatric Oncology Department of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital , Yazd , 2019

Abstract

Introduction: Religiosity can help in adapting to difficult situations and provide better care. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between religiosity and post-traumatic stress disorder in mothers of children with cancer. Methods: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive-correlational study conducted on 115 mothers of children with cancer who were admitted to Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, in Yazd, in 2019. Sampling was done through convenience sampling method. Data collection tools were the demographic information questionnaire, and Mississippi PTSD and Glock and Stark questionnaires. . Descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and analytical (Pearson's correlation, chi-square) statistical tests and indicators were used; data were investigated and statistically analyzed using SPSS 21 software with a confidence level of 95%. Results: The findings showed that in the post-traumatic stress disorder questionnaire, the average score was 97/61±36/78 and the average score of the religiosity questionnaire was 26/77±61/85. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed a negative relationship between religiosity and PTSD (p= 0/160, r= -0/132). The average score of PTSD and religiosity among mothers was not significantly different according to various variables such as mother's occupation, child's gender, and education level. The difference in the average score of PTSD in mothers was different according to the characteristics such as education level and occupation. The average score of religiosity was more different when comparing working mothers with housewives. The average stress score after the accident showed a greater difference in mothers according to the type of child's illness. The average PTSD score was 83/87±25/79 for neuroblastoma and 92/33±24/98 for solid tumor disease. Conclusion: PTSD among mothers was close to the cut-off point for the disorder. Although there was no significant relationship between PTSD and mothers' religiosity, it can be said that the severity of mental situation of mothers with severe cancer was effective in the study.