Investigation of the effect on depression and anxiety levels of perceived social support at cancer patients

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the impact on levels of depression and anxiety levels of perceived social support in patients with cancer. In addition, the gender of the patients in the study, age, education level, perceived social support variables such as the time to know the effect on depression and anxiety were investigated. Research Istanbul City Maltepe and Ümraniye 67 patients were between 17-91 years of age living in the district. Data collection tools as the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Scale and Perceived Social Support Scale were used. At the same time the Personal Information Form by researchers to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of the patients was established. With regard to socio-demographic characteristics of the study; age of the patient increases; depression and anxiety level is also increasing, with increasing age of the patient; perceived social support levels are falling as well, who is married and has reached the conclusion that his wife had died were patients who had higher levels of depression than other patients. Sex of the patients in the study were diagnosed to be a close family status, income level, and based on socio-demographic characteristics such as smoking also has to obtain meaningful results. In the study group increased & levels of depression and anxiety; from family and social support, perceived social support from friends, special people perceived social support and perceived social support were found to be decreasing levels. Based on the findings located in the discussion section of the results of the research to the researchers, some suggestions were made counselors for employees and their families in the area. Key Words : Depression, Anxiety and Perceived Social Support