Hopelessness, Depression and Social Support with End of Life Turkish Cancer Patients

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