Social Support and Depression among the Cancer Patients
Cancer patients experience several stressors and emotional upheavals. Social supports are considered important psychological resources during stressful circums-tances such as a diagnosis of cancer. The aim of this research was to determine social support and depression status among the cancer patients. 90 patients who received treatment at an oncology center of a university hospital were included in the study. The data were gathered using personal information form, Beck’s Depression Inventory and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. It was found out that there was a significant correlation between patients’ age and total social support, family support and significant other support; and between age and depression. It was seen that single patients had lower family support, lower significant others support and lower total social support; that patients who thought to recover from the disease had lower depression; and that those who got support from only health care personnel had lower family support but higher depression. There is a close correlation between the age and social support and depression of the patients. The effective use of social supports should be encouraged in preventing and treating depression, since it is an important coping method in the care of cancer patients.
