Psychological Distress Among Cancer Patients and The Supportive Roles of Nurses

Cancer is a life-altering disease that affects not only the physical health of patients but also their psychological well-being. This study aimed to determine the level of psychological distress among cancer patients and the supportive roles of nurses, as well as to examine the relationship between these variables. Specifically, the study assessed psychological distress in terms of anxiety, fear, stress, depression, sadness, and emotional exhaustion, and evaluated the supportive roles of nurses through emotional support, therapeutic communication, empathy, reassurance, and compassionate care. A quantitative descriptive-correlational research design was employed involving 60 cancer patients selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a validated researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation. The findings showed the level of psychological distress experienced by cancer patients and the extent of nurses' supportive roles in providing psychosocial care. Furthermore, the analysis determined the relationship between psychological distress and the supportive roles of nurses. The findings underscore the importance of nurses' supportive roles in addressing the psychological needs of cancer patients and promoting holistic, patient-centered oncology care. The study recommends strengthening psychosocial support interventions and enhancing nurses' competencies in therapeutic communication and emotional care to improve patient outcomes.