Assessment Of The Anxiety, Depression And Coping Strategies In Diagnosed Cancer Patients

Abstract

Across the world, there are people who suffer from different types of cancers. These patients suffer problems of anxiety and depression as the commonest psychological problems. Therefore, an exploratory study was conducted to assess the anxiety, depression and coping strategies in diagnosed cancer patients in selected hospital of Indore. Samples of 50 patients both males and females were taken for the study using non-probability purposive sampling technique. Assessment of data was done using standardized tools i.e. Hamilton's anxiety scale, Beck's Depression inventory and a set of 5 open ended questionnaire for the patients. Statistical findings revealed that there was no association between the level of anxiety and the socio demographic variables. The findings of the study revealed that majority of the cancer patients suffer from symptoms of anxiety (23 out of 50 patients, 46%) and depression (19 out of 50 patients, 38%) in their daily life. To adapt to these stressful conditions patients can use a wide range of diversional methods or coping strategies. In the study, it was found that patients used different coping strategies like watching television, engaged in spiritual activities and spending time with friends being the commonest methods.