Social Support Perception, Spiritual Orientation and Hope Levels of Patients Who Will Have Breast Cancer Surgery

Background: The patient’s own and environmental variables have an effect on the adaptation of women diagnosed with breast cancer to the treatment process and cancer. The physical and psychosocial problems experienced by these patients disrupt their adaptation mechanisms to life, leading to the development of a sense of hopelessness for the future and an increase in their social support needs.

Aim: This study was conducted as a descriptive-relationship searcher to determine the social support perception, spiritual orientation (SO), and hope levels of patients who will undergo breast cancer surgery.

Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 141 women who agreed to participate in the study and for whom surgical treatment was scheduled for breast cancer in two public hospitals in Istanbul. Data were collected using Personal Information Form, SO Scale (SOS), Hert Hope Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Data were analyzed by number, percentage, and correlation analysis.

Results: In the study, it was determined that 77.3% of the women were married, their mean age was 51.55 ± 11.22, 29.8% were university graduates, and 54.6% were housewives. The women’s Hert Hope Scale total score average was found to be 79.18 ± 10.43, the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale total score mean was 71.87 ± 12.14, and the SOS total score mean was found to be 102.77 ± 19.00.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it was found that the SO and multidimensional perceived social support levels of the patients who would undergo surgical treatment were high and these factors had an effect on the level of hope. Further, it was determined that as the SO and multidimensional perceived social support level of the patients increased, their hope levels also increased. Nurses can make supportive practices for spiritual care and social support systems to increase the hope of these patients.