Hopelessness and its relationship with perceived social support in Peruvian patients with hematological neoplasms

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the significant relationship between social support and hopelessness in Peruvian patients with hematological neoplasms who are in any of the treatment phases. Method: The study was descriptive-correlational. The sample consisted of 110 hemato-oncological patients of both sexes, aged between 16 and 25 years. The instruments used were the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). Results: High levels of perceived social support (81%) and normal levels of hopelessness (82%) are reported in hemato-oncological patients. Perceived social support is inversely and significantly correlated with hopelessness, although in low to moderate magnitudes. However, the dimension Expectation of misfortune in the future, does not correlate significantly with the perceived social support and its dimensions. Likewise, the Beliefs that negative events are durable dimension did not correlate with the dimension Family support. On the other hand, significant differences were found in perceived social support with sex and religion, as well as hopelessness with age, time of diagnosis and treatment phase. Conclusion: The perceived social support is related to the hopelessness of Peruvian hemato-oncological patients. Therefore, it is corroborated that the social support that the patient receives when faced with the hopelessness of a hemato-oncological disease, serves as support and tolerance of said disease and its effects during treatment.