The relationship between optimism, hope and spirituality with severity of symptoms in breast cancer patients in Tehran

Abstract

The research aimed to determine the relationship between optimism, hope, and spirituality on the severity of breast cancer symptoms. The present research method was descriptive-correlational and the study population of all breast cancer patients in Tehran in 2017, in the number of 3722 people who visited Tehran hospitals. Based on the method of Steven (2002), the number of 75 women was estimated and were selected through the available sampling method. Optimism questionnaires of Shier and Carver (1985), Hope of Schneider, Harris, Anderson, Holleran, Ironik, et al. (1991), and Spirituality of Parsian and Donning (2009), as well as the severity of breast cancer symptoms, were completed through clinical screening. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient test and multivariate regression analysis. The results showed that the stepwise regression coefficient of the severity of breast cancer symptoms with spirituality (β = 0.40, P = 0.001), optimism (β = 0.28, P = 0.001), and hope (β= 0.20, P =0.025) is negative. Due to the importance of optimism and hope as well as spirituality in cancer patients, it is necessary to hold training courses and workshops in treatment centers regarding increasing optimism and hope for treatment and creating and cultivating spirituality in patients.