OPTIMISM AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH DEPRESSION AMONG PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH CANCER ADMITTED TO A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL AFFILIATED TO TABRIZ UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

Childhood cancer as a life-threatening illness has negative consequences for both
the patients and their family. Parents of children with cancer are experiencing high levels of
psychological stress, and it affect many aspects of parents’ health. The aim of this studywas to determine
the depression and optimism among parents of children with cancer and relationship between these
variables.
Methods & Materials: This is a descriptive‐correlational study on 148 parents of children with cancer
admitted to a pediatric hospital affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz/Iran.
Participants were selected using convenience sampling method. “Life Orientation Test-Revised” and
depression section of ‘Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale” were used to evaluate participants’ levels
of optimism and depression. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0.
Results: The mean rank for optimism and depression was 16 (IQR: 4) and 8 (IQR: 7) respectively. Also,
there was a negative, significant correlation between parents optimism and depression (P<0.001, R=-
0.439).
Conclusion: Considering the rate of depression in parents of children with cancer, more attention is
needed to the factors affecting this. In addition, due to the significant relationship between optimism
and depression, incorporating optimism-promoting strategies into caring planes is recommended.