Investigation of the Relationship Between Spousal Violence and Quality of Life Experienced by Cancer Patients Receiving Immunosuppressive Therapy

Abstract

Starting from the diagnosis stage of it and throughout the terminal period, cancer is an illness that forms serious stress for patients. The aim of this study is to investigate whether spousal violence has an effect on the quality of life of cancer patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. This is a cross-sectional and self-reported study based on quantitative data. The present study was carried out with 153 adult female patients who were registered to the oncology service of a hospital in Turkey, and receiving immunosuppressive therapy. The participants were exposed to partner violence with an average close to medium level and their quality of life is moderate. As the participants' mean scores on the Spousal Violence Against Women Scale increased, the total score on the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Form decreased, and there was a statistically significant negative difference between the two scales (p < .001). Since spousal violence against women negatively affects the quality of life of women receiving cancer treatment, actions to reduce violence against women should be planned and implemented urgently, and healthcare professionals working at all levels of healthcare institutions should provide the necessary professional support to detect spousal violence in women undergoing cancer treatment and to eliminate its negative effects.

Keywords: cancer; nurses; quality of life; spousal violence against women.