The Relationship between Religious Beliefs and Rate of Depression and Anxiety in the Patients with Cancer in Zahedan (Iran)

Abstract

Introduction: Considering the importance of cancer psychological aspects, the present research was done with the aim of studying the relationship between religious beliefs with rate of depression and anxiety in the patients affected by cancer in Zahedan (Iran). Materials and methods: This descriptive- analytical study was performed on 100 adult patients (>18 years old) who were affected by cancer and referred to the hospital and the related private centers. The Convenience sampling was performed. Two standard DASS-21questionnaires were given to the patients in order to evaluate the rate of their depression; anxiety and religious view standard questionnaire was given them in order to evaluate their religious beliefs. Obtained data were analyzed and investigated using Chi square test and correlation coefficient. Findings: Among 100 patients, 56 patients were female and 44 patients were male. 23% of the patients were older than 60 years old. 45% were uneducated, 7% elementary educated, 36% guidance school and high school and 12% were under graduated from university. 78% were married, 10% were single and 12% widow. DASS-21 questionnaire indicated rate of depression equal to 36% (24% slight and 12% mean) and rate of anxiety were shown equal to 42% in the under studied patients (14% slight, 18% mean and 10% severe), also rate of depression, anxiety and religious beliefs of the under studied patients were measured separated from the variables of gender, age, education level and marital statue. Conclusion: Statistical chi-square test indicated that any significant relationship was not obtained between depression and anxiety with the religious beliefs of the patients affected by cancer totally and separated from gender, age, education level and marital status. Also the results revealed that there are not any significant relationship correlatively between depression and anxiety with rate of religious beliefs of the under studied patients except three group such as : female group, 18-60 age group and high school group of education level. Thus , it is advised that the future studies should be done on more sample numbers, more congenial people from viewpoint of demographic using local standard measurement tools proportional to religious and psychological characteristics of Iranian population.