Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between spirituality and social support with its impact on cancer patients’ stress.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out from 15th July to 31st August 2019. A structured questionnaire was developed and collected data through a purposive sampling method from 200 cancer patients. Data were analyzed by using SPSS V-20. Pearson’s Correlation was used for the relationship of variables.
Results: Majority (75%) of the cancer patients were males, most were unmarried (58%) and 35% patients were from the 49-58 age group. The clinical information indicated that 12% had Laryngeal cancer and 38% were stage-III cancer patients. Analyzing the spirituality levels, 37% were highly spiritual patients and 36% adopted recitation of the Holy Quran verses for the cure of their disease. Mean score of spirituality was 2.42, social support 2.19 and stress 2.32. In correlation analysis, spirituality and social support had an inverse but significant relationship (r=-0.751/-0.781; p=.000/.001) with the patients’ stress.
Conclusion: Spirituality and social support had a significant relationship with cancer patients’ stress. Patients performed several spiritual practices and adopted various social support approaches to reduce disease-related stress.

Key words: Cancer, stress, social support.