Spirituality and depression in mothers of children with leukemia

ABSTRACT

Childhood cancer can affect meaning of life as well as spirituality, causing significant changes in the family members’ life, accordingly, the present study investigated the relationship between depression and spirituality among mothers of children with cancer. This study is a descriptive-analytical research of correlation type was conducted on 70 mothers of children with cancer in 2019 by available sample method. The measurement instruments utilized included “Beck depression inventory-II,” and spiritual attitude assessment” questionnaires. Results of this study indicated an inverse correlation between depression and spirituality in mothers of children with cancer. It seems that promoting the spiritual attitude of mothers can help them cope with depression.

KEYWORDS:

• Leukemia
• childhood
• cancer
• depression
• spirituality
• spiritual attitude

Acknowledgments

The authors highly appreciate patient mothers who kindly cooperated in this research. The sympathetic personnel of the pediatric ward of Seyedoshohada Hospital in Isfahan is also highly appreciated.

Note that this paper has been adapted from a research proposal approved and verified scientifically and ethically by the faculty of rehabilitation sciences at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences with code 293295. None of the authors have any conflicts of interest in the publication of this paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Vice-Chancellor of Research and Technology of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran .