Economic Difference in Stress and Social Support among Kashmiri Cancer Patients

The present research examined economic differences in degree of stress and social support among Kashmiri cancer patients. The sample consisted of 200 patients (poor =123, Moderate =41, sound income =36). The sample for the study was obtained from the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Srinagar Kashmir. The purposive sampling strategy was used. The patients were selected on the basis of their willingness to participate in the current research. The Questionnaire on stress in cancer patients' revised version (QSC-R23) and The Questionnaire Interpersonal Support Evaluation List Short Form (ISEL-SF) were used to collect the data respectively. Data was analyzed using One Way ANOVA followed by Post-Hoc Analyses. The results indicate significant economic differences in mean scores of stress. The results further showed that the mean scores of cancer patients with sound income were higher than cancer patients with moderate income on social support scale. These findings have implications for understanding the psychological problems of cancer patients.