Hospital Practices and Research

The Role of Social Support and Spiritual Health in Predicting Death Anxiety in Patients with Cancer

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Pouyan Khanbabai Ghaleie 1
Farzaneh Hooman 2
Farah Naderi 1
Marzieh Talebzadeh Shoushtari 1
Abdolamir Gatezadeh 3

1 Department of Psychology, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran

2 Department of Psychology, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran

3 Department of Psychology, Susangerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Susangerd, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30491/hpr.2024.483749.1453
Abstract
Background: Understanding the relationship between social support and spiritual health with death anxiety in patients with cancer is crucial for developing effective interventions to improve their quality of life and reduce distress.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of social support and spiritual health on death anxiety in cancer patients, with a specific focus on determining the relative contributions of each factor.
Methods: This descriptive-correlational study included all patients with cancer in Tehran as the study population in 2023. A total of 302 patients with cancer were selected as the sample using a convenience sampling method. The instruments included questionnaires on death anxiety, social support, and spiritual health. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression.
Results: Findings revealed a significant negative association between social support and death anxiety (P<0.001). Additionally, a significant negative association was found between spiritual health and death anxiety (P<0.001). According to the results, spiritual health had a greater association with death anxiety in patients with cancer.
Conclusion: Based on these findings, both social support and spiritual health contribute to mitigating death anxiety among cancer patients. Notably, spiritual health appears to have a more pronounced impact on reducing death anxiety compared to social support in this population. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating psychosocial interventions that address both social support and spiritual well-being into comprehensive cancer care.

Keywords

Spiritual Health
Social Support
Death Anxiety
Cancer
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Hospital Practices and Research
Volume 9, Issue 3 - Serial Number 35
Summer 2024
Pages 515-520

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