The Effect of Perceived Social Support and Spiritual Care Needs in Predicting Hope in Oncology Patients.

Background: Hope has an influential role in oncology patients and is related to perceived social support and spirituality. However, studies on the extent to which the concepts of perceived social support and spiritual care needs affect hope are still limited.

Objective: To examine the effect of perceived social support and spiritual care needs in predicting hope in adult oncology patients.

Methods: Study questionnaires, a demographic form, the Herth Hope Scale, the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Spiritual Care Needs Scale were administered to participants. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted.

Results: A total of 134 oncology patients completed the study questionnaires. Significant correlations were found between hope and perceived social support and between hope and spiritual care needs (P < .05). Perceived support explained 11.7% of the variance in hope scores. A 1-unit increase in the support score was associated with a 0.344-unit increase in the hope score. Spiritual care needs did not significantly predict hope.

Conclusion: In line with the results, interventions that promote social support may increase hope in oncology patients.

Implications for practice: Nurses could incorporate interventions into their care to improve social support as one way to enhance hope levels among oncology patients. Further studies are required to understand more about the impact of spiritual care needs on hope.