THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ONCOLOGY PATIENTS' CARE DEPENDENCY AND ANXIETY LEVELS

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to identify the relationship between oncology patients' care dependency and anxiety levels. Material and Methods: The research data were collected by using the individual Identification Form, the Care Dependency Scale, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory via the interviews held with 142 cancer patients hospitalized at the oncology clinic. The independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and the Pearson correlation test were used in the analysis of research data. Results: In the study, it was discerned that the mean of cancer patients' Care Dependency Scale scores was 37.83 +/- 21.42 points and the patients who had the disease for a longer duration had higher levels of care dependency. Besides, it was found that the mean of cancer patients' Beck Anxiety Inventory scores was 24.27 +/- 11.52 points and the patients had medium-level anxiety. Moreover, it was identified that there was a statistically significant association between the participant cancer patients' care dependency and anxiety levels (p<0.01). Conclusion: The increase in cancer patients' care dependency levels is associated with the rise in their anxiety levels. Therefore, finding out about the patients' care dependency levels by identifying the care needs of the patients to whom the nurses are responsible for offering care plays a significant role in enhancing the quality of nursing care.