Yeon Jung Kim; Kwang Ja Lee

doi:10.4040/jkan.2010.40.4.524

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Original Article
Relationship of Social Support and Meaning of Life to Suicidal Thoughts in Cancer Patients: Yeon Jung Kim, Kwang Ja Lee; Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2010;40(4):524-532.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2010.40.4.524
Published online: August 31, 2010

¹Adjunct Professor, Department of Nursing, Hyechon University, Daejeon, Korea.

²Professor, Department of Nursing, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Kim, Yeon Jung. Department of Nursing, Hyechon University, 333 Boksu-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon 302-715, Korea. Tel: 82-42-580-6280, Fax: 82-42-580-6289, black8213@yahoo.co.kr

• Received: April 19, 2010 • Accepted: August 13, 2010

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Abstract
NOTES
REFERENCES

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

This article is based on a part of the first author's master's thesis from Ewha Womans University.

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Table 1

Characteristic of Participants, (N=146)

Table 2

Suicidal Thought, Social Support and Meaning of Life of Participants, (N=146)

Table 3

Comparison of Characteristics between Suicidal Thought and Suicidal Attempt group, (N=146)

LWO=Living with others; MOL=Meaning of life.

Table 4

Correlations between Social Support, Meaning of Life, Suicidal Thought, (N=146)

s=Support; MOL=Meaning of life; ST=Suicidal thought.

Table 5

The influence of Social Support, Meaning of Life on Suicidal Thought, (N=146)

Figure & Data

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

J Korean Acad Nurs. 2010;40(4):524-532. Published online August 31, 2010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2010.40.4.524

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

Table 1

Characteristic of Participants, (N=146)

Table 2

Suicidal Thought, Social Support and Meaning of Life of Participants, (N=146)

Table 3

Comparison of Characteristics between Suicidal Thought and Suicidal Attempt group, (N=146)

LWO=Living with others; MOL=Meaning of life.

Table 4

Correlations between Social Support, Meaning of Life, Suicidal Thought, (N=146)

s=Support; MOL=Meaning of life; ST=Suicidal thought.

Table 5

The influence of Social Support, Meaning of Life on Suicidal Thought, (N=146)

Table 1 Characteristic of Participants, (N=146)

Table 2 Suicidal Thought, Social Support and Meaning of Life of Participants, (N=146)

Table 3 Comparison of Characteristics between Suicidal Thought and Suicidal Attempt group, (N=146)

LWO=Living with others; MOL=Meaning of life.

Table 4 Correlations between Social Support, Meaning of Life, Suicidal Thought, (N=146)

s=Support; MOL=Meaning of life; ST=Suicidal thought.

Table 5 The influence of Social Support, Meaning of Life on Suicidal Thought, (N=146)