Determination of the levels of hope and coping in cancer patients

The study was planned to determine the levels of hope and coping in cancer patients, to explore the effects of hope on coping styles, to detect the variables affecting hope and coping. The sample of the study was 240 patients treated with chemotherapy in Chemotherapy Day Unit at Akdeniz University. They accepted to participate in the study. The source of the data was surveys filled out by the patients. Personal Information Form, Herth Hope Index and Ways of Coping Inventory (WCI) were utilized for data collection.The data were evaluated using statistical package software, SPSS 11. Descriptive statistics were performed on all data. Firstly, the data were evaluated with univariate regression analysis. The variables found to be significant in univariate regression analysis using total hope index and its sub-scales as well as WCI sub-scales were analyzed with multivariate regression analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed for three sub-scales of Herth Hope Index, total hope score and WCI separately. In addition, correlation tests were conducted to explore the relationship between Herth Hope Index and WCI. A significance level of p<0.05 was assumed during evaluations.As a result, the mean hope score of individuals was found to be 71.88±9.10 out of 90. These mean scores showed high levels of hope among patients. It was found out that monthly income, knowledge level about the disease, mouth lesions, which are among the symptoms, and feelings of anxiety and fear are the factors affecting hope levels of the patients. Additionally, it was observed that factors such as feeling of healing and family support also affected hope levels of patients. A significant relationship between hope levels and coping styles of individuals was detected. Means of WCI scores, which were evaluated with respect to score intervals of each sub-scale, revealed that coping styles of cancer patients were respectively self-confident approach (x=16.12), optimistic approach (x=10.73), seeking social support (x=8), helplessness/self-blaming approach (x=10.74) and fatalistic approach (x=8). WCI was compared with sociodemographic factors, factors associated with disease, chemotherapy symptoms and factors that may affect hope levels.The score means obtained showed that patients have high levels of hope and they used problem focused approaches rather than emotion-centered ones. This study provided important data for healthcare professionals to be used to determine adequate interventions that can increase hope levels and skills of coping with stress in cancer patients.Key words: Cancer, hope, coping, oncologic nursing