Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2010.40.4.524

Relationship of Social Support and Meaning of Life to Suicidal Thoughts in Cancer Patients  

Kim, Yeon-Jung (Department of Nursing, Hyechon University)
Lee, Kwang-Ja (Department of Nursing, Ewha Womans University)
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing / v.40, no.4, 2010 , pp. 524-532 More about this Journal
Abstract
Purpose: This study was done to explore the relationship of social support and meaning of life to suicidal thoughts among patients with cancer. Methods: Data were collected by questionnaires from 138 patients who had been in cancer treatment at medical clinics and 8 patients who were members of an internet cancer association. The data were collected between August and November 2009 and analyzed using SPSS 12.0. Results: Of the participants, 47.3% reported having had suicidal thoughts and 16.4% had attempted suicide since the diagnosis of cancer. The study participants received most support from family members, but 73.3% reported experiencing an existential vacuum. The suicide attempt group had significantly higher scores according to gender, age, level of education, diagnosis, treatment modality, level of activity, caregiver and social support compare to the suicide thought group. Suicidal thoughts were negatively related to social support and meaning of life was positively associated with social support. Support from family and friends and diagnosis explained 50.0% of variance for suicidal thoughts with 36.0% of variance being explained by family support. Conclusion: Nurses should be able to identify risk factors for suicide in cancer patients. Prevention and intervention efforts need to be directed toward improving social support, family support in particular, and assisting patients finding meaning in life after a diagnosis of cancer.
Keywords
Neoplasms; Suicide; Social support;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 2  (Citation Analysis)
Times Cited By Web Of Science : 1  (Related Records In Web of Science)
연도 인용수 순위
1 Misono, S., Weiss, N. S., Fann, J. R., Redman, M., & Yueh, B. (2008). Incidence of suicide in persons with cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 26, 4731-4738.   DOI   ScienceOn
2 Bottomley, A., & Jones, L. (1997). Social support and cancer patient- A need for clarity. European Journal of Cancer Care, 6, 72-77.   DOI   ScienceOn
3 Cho, H., & Shin, H. C. (2009). The influence of stress on suicide ideation: Meaning in life as mediator or moderator. The Korean Journal of Biological and Psychological Psychology, 21, 1011-1026.
4 Crumbaugh, J. C., & Maholick, L. T. (1964). An experimental study in existentialism: The psychometric approach to Frankl's concept of noogenic neurosis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 20, 200-207.   DOI
5 Frankl, V. E. (1984). Man's search for meaning. Washington Square Press.
6 Stiefel, F. (1993). Suicide and euthanasia: Patient attitudes in the context of cancer. Support Care Cancer, 1, 169-170.
7 Yoon, M. O. (2004). The effect of spiritual nursing intervention on the meaning of life and spiritual distress of the terminal cancer patients. The Journal of Hospice &Palliative Care, 8, 54-67.
8 Zimet, G. D., Dahlem, N. W., Zimet, S. G., &. Farley, G. K. (1988). The multidimensional scale of perceived social support. Journal of Personality Assessment, 52, 30-41.   DOI
9 Harlow, L. L., Newcomb, M. D., & Bentler, P. M. (1987). Purpose in life test assessment using latent variable methods. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 26, 235-236.   DOI   ScienceOn
10 Hur, J. W., Choi, K. Y., Lee, B. H., Shin, S. H., Yang, J. C., & Kim, Y. K. (2007). The psychosocial factors affecting suicide attempt. Journal of Neuropsychiatry Association, 46, 129-135.
11 Jang, H. S. (2002). A comparative study on satisfaction level of the inpatients cared by family members and professional caregivers. Unpublished master's thesis, Mokwon University, Daejeon.
12 Jung, B. L., & Lee, E. H. (2006). Symptom experience, mood disturbance and social support in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Journal of Korean Oncology Nursing Society, 6, 172-180.
13 Simonelli, L. E., Fowler, J., Maxwell, G. L., & Andersen, B. L. (2008). Physical sequelae and depressive symptoms in gynecologic cancer survivors: Meaning in life as a mediator. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 35, 275-284.   DOI   ScienceOn
14 Schairer, C., Brown, L. M., Chen, B. E., Lynch, C. F., Strom, P. H. H., Pukala, E., et al. (2006). Suicide after breast cancer: An international population-based study of 723, 810 women. Journal of National Cancer Institute, 98, 1416-1419.   DOI   ScienceOn
15 Schneider, K. L., & Shenassa, E. (2008). Correlates of suicide ideation in a population-based sample of cancer patients. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 26(2), 49-62.   DOI   ScienceOn
16 Shin, J. S., & Lee, Y. B. (1999). The effects of social supports on psychosocial well-being of the unemployed. Journal of Korean Journal of Social Welfare, 37, 241-269.
17 Lee, J. G. (1995). (The) effect of nursing-logotherapy on self-esteem, purpose in life and finding meaning, and hope of the patients of mental illness. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Kyung Pook University, Deagu.
18 Kim, Y. J. (2008). A study on cancer patients' and their family members' depression and suicidal ideation. Unpublished master's thesis, Hang Yang University, Seoul.
19 Korea National Statistical Office. (2009). Death cause figures. Seoul: Author.
20 Lefetz, C., & Reich, M. (2006). Suicidal crisis in oncology: Assessment and care. Bulletin du Cancer, 93, 709-713.
21 Kim, H. J. (2008). (The) Study of relationship between meaning of life and suicide ideation: The mediating effects of perceived social support and avoidance coping style. Unpublished master's thesis, Korea University, Seoul.
22 Jo, N. O., Hong, Y. S., Han, S. S., & Eom, Y. L. (2006). Attributes perceived by cancer patients as a good nurse. Clinical Nursing Research, 11, 149-162.
23 Kim, B. Y., & Lee, J. S. (2009). A meta-analysis of variables related to suicidal ideation in adolescents. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 39, 651-661.   과학기술학회마을   DOI   ScienceOn
24 Kim, E. A. (2007, November 26). Be concerned about 'Illness of the mind' in cancer patient. Doctor's News, p. 8.
25 Kim, H. S. (2002). A study on epistemology of Korean elder's suicidal thought. Journal of Korean Gerontological Society, 22, 159-172.
26 Lim, J. S. (2008). Study on investigating suicide causes and developing suicide prevention programs in Korea. Seoul: Ministry for Health.
27 Ministry for health. (2005). Plans for suicidal prevention. Seoul: Author.
28 National Cancer Information Center. (2009). Cancer survival statistics. Seoul: Author.
29 Ohaeri, B. M., Oladele, E. O., & Ohaeri, J. U. (2001). Social support needs and adjustment of cancer patients. East African Medical Journal, 78, 641-645.