Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

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Fear of Death, Depression and Coping among Cancer Patients


Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
2 Department of Clinical Psychology, PGIBAMS, Raipur, India
     

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The cancer is curable disease, however appropriate coping and adjustment is important in facing chronic diseases, especially during the treatment period. Regardless of prognosis, the initial diagnosis of cancer is still perceived by many patients as a life-threatening event. Patients undergoing treatment for cancer face major physical and emotional challenges. All these factors have a negative impact on prognosis of illness. Most patients with chronic illnesses suffer at least some adverse psychological reactions as a result of the disease; however, do not seek formal or informal psychological treatment for their symptoms. Instead, they draw on their internal and social resources for solving problems and alleviating psychological distress. The present study is an attempt to examine fear of death, depression and coping among cancer patients. A sample of 60 cancer patients from Apollo BSR Hospital, Bhilai (C.G.) was randomly selected. Fear of death and depression level in cancer patients were measured by the Fear of Personal Death Scale and the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). The Cope Scale was administered to measure their coping strategies. It was observed that 21.7% patients had fear of death; 46.7% had moderate level of depression followed by mild (38.3%). Cancer patients used Emotion focused coping (M = 11.22) more than problem solving coping (M = 8.82). Significant gender differences in fear of death and depression (P < .05) were also observed. Different treatment groups differed significantly on depression, it was more in those who were receiving both radio and chemotherapy (26.7 %) than those who were receiving only chemotherapy (20 %). The study highlights the significant level of fear of death and depression in cancer patients as a function of gender and type of treatment. Fear of death and depression was comparatively higher in female patients. Patients receiving both chemo and radiotherapy treatment were more depressed than patients receiving only chemo

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  • Fear of Death, Depression and Coping among Cancer Patients

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Authors

M. I. R. Shahid Ali
Department of Psychology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
Meena Osmany
Department of Psychology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
Waheeda Khan
Department of Psychology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
Deepti Mishra
Department of Clinical Psychology, PGIBAMS, Raipur, India

Abstract


The cancer is curable disease, however appropriate coping and adjustment is important in facing chronic diseases, especially during the treatment period. Regardless of prognosis, the initial diagnosis of cancer is still perceived by many patients as a life-threatening event. Patients undergoing treatment for cancer face major physical and emotional challenges. All these factors have a negative impact on prognosis of illness. Most patients with chronic illnesses suffer at least some adverse psychological reactions as a result of the disease; however, do not seek formal or informal psychological treatment for their symptoms. Instead, they draw on their internal and social resources for solving problems and alleviating psychological distress. The present study is an attempt to examine fear of death, depression and coping among cancer patients. A sample of 60 cancer patients from Apollo BSR Hospital, Bhilai (C.G.) was randomly selected. Fear of death and depression level in cancer patients were measured by the Fear of Personal Death Scale and the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). The Cope Scale was administered to measure their coping strategies. It was observed that 21.7% patients had fear of death; 46.7% had moderate level of depression followed by mild (38.3%). Cancer patients used Emotion focused coping (M = 11.22) more than problem solving coping (M = 8.82). Significant gender differences in fear of death and depression (P < .05) were also observed. Different treatment groups differed significantly on depression, it was more in those who were receiving both radio and chemotherapy (26.7 %) than those who were receiving only chemotherapy (20 %). The study highlights the significant level of fear of death and depression in cancer patients as a function of gender and type of treatment. Fear of death and depression was comparatively higher in female patients. Patients receiving both chemo and radiotherapy treatment were more depressed than patients receiving only chemo

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