Relationship between spirituality and depression among patients with malignant cancer at a selected tertiary care Institute - A study from North India

Abstract

Purpose: Depression is a major mental disorder and has drastic effects on people suffering from other terminal illnesses like cancer. Many patients struggling with chronic or fatal illnesses rely on spirituality to cope. Spirituality in Indian culture has always been a vital component in indigenous health systems.Objective: To determine the relationship between spirituality and depression among patients with cancer visiting a tertiary care institute of Uttarakhand State in northern India. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional survey.Sample: A total of 103 cancer patients visiting inpatient and outpatient departments of a selected tertiary care institute of Uttarakhand state of northern India. Methods: Participants were administered the socio-demographic proforma, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) (Kroenke, Spitzer, and Williams, 2001), System of Belief Inventory (SBI-15R). Findings: The mean score of depression among cancer patients was 9.12±6.537 (CI, 7.84–10.39). Patients with high spirituality have minimal or no depression. We found a statistically significant negative correlation between depression and spirituality (r=−0.209, p=0.05).Conclusions: Health care professionals can incorporate spirituality in caring for cancer patients to develop a positive outlook on living despite the illness. Implications for Psychosocial Providers Or Policy: Establishing a spiritual support program as an integral part of a multidisciplinary approach can better cancer treatment in the Indian setting.

Keywords:

• Cancer
• Depressive Symptoms
• Patients
• Spirituality

Acknowledgment

Authors would like to thank the patients for their participation in the study. The author would also like to thank AIIMS, Rishikesh for granting permission to conduct the research. Authors would like to appreciate authors of System Belief Inventory -15R for permission to use their tool. It wouldn’t be possible without the effortless participation of all contributors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.