Depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and social support levels of the parents of children with cancer

Abstract

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, family members are affected both socially and psychologically. This study was conducted to determine the depression, anxiety (state and trait), hopelessness, and perceived social support levels of 94 parents of children with cancer followed up at a university hospital. Data were collected using a questionnaire form and included descriptive characteristics, Beck Depression Inventory, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and The Hopelessness Scale. A positive relationship was found between depression and hopelessness scores and between state and trait anxiety scores for both mothers and fathers. Also, a negative relationship was found between social support and depression scores and between hopelessness and social support scores. Apart from fathers, a positive relationship between depression and trait anxiety scores and a negative relationship between state anxiety and hopelessness scores were found in mothers. Based on these results, it seems that it would be highly beneficial to provide psychological and social support and social support groups to help parents cope with these problems.