Relationship Between Illness Perception and Hope in Patients With Leukemia Hospitalized in Selected Hospitals in Tehran, Iran: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background & Aims Patients with leukemia face mental distress that can affect their hope. One of the effective components in measuring psychological well-being is illness perception, which refers to the cognitive evaluation and understanding of a medical condition. This study aims to determine the relationship between illness perception and hope in patients with leukemia hospitalized in selected hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Materials & Methods This is a descriptive-correlational study conducted on 200 patients with leukemia hospitalized in selected hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2023. Data collection tools were a demographic form, Broadbent et al.’s brief illness perception questionnaire (BIPQ) and Snyder’s adult hope scale (AHS). The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 16 using descriptive and inferential statistics such as Pearson’s correlation test, independent t-test, and analysis of variance. Results The mean total score of BIPQ was 37.45‌±‌9.10 and the mean total score of AHS was 32.39‌±‌1.88. There was negative and significant correlation between illness perception and hope (r=-0.489, P<0.001). Conclusion A more positive perception of leukemia can improve the hope of patients. It is recommended to implement interventions to create a positive illness perception in these patients to increase their hope.

Keywords

• illness perception
• hope
• leukemia
• cancer