Current Research in Medical Sciences
Babol Univesity of Medical Sciences
Mon, Sep 7, 2026
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Volume 9, Issue 2 (2-2025)
CRMS 2025, 9(2): 76-64 |
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Kharestani N, Karimi H, Shirinkam F, Vakili Sadeghi M. The Relationship between Fear of Disease Progression, Social Support, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression in Elderly Patients with Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Iran. CRMS 2025; 9 (2) : 9
URL: http://crms.mubabol.ac.ir/article-1-223-en.html
URL: http://crms.mubabol.ac.ir/article-1-223-en.html
Nursing care reasearch center, Ramsar nursing and midwifery school, Babol university of medical sciences, Babol, I.R.Iran. , hengamehkarimister@gmail.com
Abstract: (11 Views)
Background: One of the main causes of stress in patients with cancer is fear of disease progression (FoP). This study aimed to determine the relationship between fear of disease progression, social support, and hospital anxiety and depression in elderly patients with cancer.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 165 elderly patients with cancer were selected by simple random sampling in Babol, Iran, in 2021. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Fear of Disease Progression Short Form questionnaire (FoP-Q-SF), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Social Support Appraisals Scale (SS-AS), and the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 165 elderly patients with cancer were selected by simple random sampling in Babol, Iran, in 2021. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Fear of Disease Progression Short Form questionnaire (FoP-Q-SF), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Social Support Appraisals Scale (SS-AS), and the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26.
Results: The mean total FoP score was 31.64 ± 13.93, indicating a low level of fear of disease progression. Overall, 44.2% of the patients had high FoP, whereas 55.8% had low FoP. The mean social support score was 16.43 ± 5.92 (high), the mean hospital anxiety score was 6.96 ± 0.43 (healthy), and the mean hospital depression score was 7.09 ± 0.46 (mild). FoP was significantly and negatively correlated with social support (r = −0.503, P = 0.01) and significantly and positively correlated with hospital anxiety (r = 0.749, P < 0.01) and hospital depression (r = 0.772, P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The findings suggest that promoting social support and reducing anxiety and depression may help decrease FoP in elderly patients with cancer. These findings may provide a basis for developing and implementing effective interventions for this population.
Article number: 9
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
پرستاری
Received: 2025/12/7 | Accepted: 2025/12/30 | Published: 2026/09/6
Received: 2025/12/7 | Accepted: 2025/12/30 | Published: 2026/09/6
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