Intolerance of uncertainty and attitudes toward cancer as predictors of spiritual well-being in patients with cancer.
This study aimed to explore the predictive roles of intolerance of uncertainty and attitudes toward cancer in determining the level of spiritual well-being among patients with cancer.
The study population consisted of all patients diagnosed with cancer admitted to the oncology outpatient clinics of two different public hospitals or receiving inpatient treatment between March 1, 2024, and January 30, 2025. The sample consisted of 400 patients who met the inclusion criteria. In this study, three standardized instruments were used to assess the main study variables: the Three-Factor Spiritual Well-Being Scale (TFSWS), the Questionnaire for the Measurement of Attitudes Toward Cancer-Patient Version (QMATC-PV), and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the data.
The mean scores of spiritual well-being, attitudes toward cancer, and intolerance of uncertainty were 118.63 ± 16.49, 2.06 ± 0.50, and 36.45 ± 9.80, respectively. There was a significant negative relationship between the impossibility of recovery and discrimination and spiritual well-being. There was a significant negative relationship between inhibitory anxiety and spiritual well-being. Furthermore, alcohol use and hormone therapy were significant variables for predicting spiritual well-being.
The results of this study revealed that in addition to alcohol use and hormone therapy, the impossibility of recovery, discrimination, and inhibitory anxiety significantly affect spiritual well-being in cancer patients. These findings highlight the importance of addressing patients' emotional and existential concerns as part of holistic cancer care. Interventions aimed at reducing uncertainty and improving attitudes toward cancer may enhance patients' spiritual well-being and overall quality of life.
The study population consisted of all patients diagnosed with cancer admitted to the oncology outpatient clinics of two different public hospitals or receiving inpatient treatment between March 1, 2024, and January 30, 2025. The sample consisted of 400 patients who met the inclusion criteria. In this study, three standardized instruments were used to assess the main study variables: the Three-Factor Spiritual Well-Being Scale (TFSWS), the Questionnaire for the Measurement of Attitudes Toward Cancer-Patient Version (QMATC-PV), and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the data.
The mean scores of spiritual well-being, attitudes toward cancer, and intolerance of uncertainty were 118.63 ± 16.49, 2.06 ± 0.50, and 36.45 ± 9.80, respectively. There was a significant negative relationship between the impossibility of recovery and discrimination and spiritual well-being. There was a significant negative relationship between inhibitory anxiety and spiritual well-being. Furthermore, alcohol use and hormone therapy were significant variables for predicting spiritual well-being.
The results of this study revealed that in addition to alcohol use and hormone therapy, the impossibility of recovery, discrimination, and inhibitory anxiety significantly affect spiritual well-being in cancer patients. These findings highlight the importance of addressing patients' emotional and existential concerns as part of holistic cancer care. Interventions aimed at reducing uncertainty and improving attitudes toward cancer may enhance patients' spiritual well-being and overall quality of life.