Role of Hope in Promoting Emotional Wellbeing among Women with Cervical Cancer: A Cross-sectional Questionnaire-based Study

Introduction: Cervical cancer is a significant health challenge that profoundly impacts the emotional wellbeing of affected women, often leading to anxiety, depression and diminished quality of life. Psychological resources, like hope, play a crucial role in coping and resilience during such adversity. Hope has been identified as a critical factor for mental resilience; yet, its specific impact on women with cervical cancer remains underexplored. Aim: To explore the effect of hope on the emotional wellbeing of women with cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study utilising a Likert scale questionnaire, administered to 50 female cervical cancer patients, was conducted from June to August 2023. The questionnaire, consisting of nine items, assessed hope levels, emotional distress and coping mechanisms. Participants responded to items measuring levels of anxiety, depression and perceived social support, data were analysed through frequency distributions and correlation analysis. Results: The demographic data revealed that the majority of the respondents were between the ages of 40 and 49 years (40%), with an average age of 44.5 years. However, the average age for the total population of 50 respondents was 47.3 years. Hope was reported to play an essential role in emotional regulation, as over half of the respondents (58%) indicated that hope helped them manage their emotional responses to their cancer diagnosis. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation (r=0.97, p-value <0.001) between hope and emotional wellbeing, with higher levels of hope associated with reduced anxiety and depression. The results also underscore the importance of external factors, such as personal goal-setting and social support networks, which were found to enhance participants’ ability to sustain hope. A majority of respondents highlighted that support from friends, family and the broader social environment contributed to their emotional resilience during treatment. Conclusion: This study emphasises hope as crucial for the emotional wellbeing of women with cervical cancer, demonstrating its strong positive impact on reducing distress. Integrating hope-building interventions, goal-setting, and social support into cancer care can enhance resilience and improve outcomes. These findings advocate for holistic oncology care that addresses both medical and psychological needs.