The relationship between religiosity, anxiety, depression, and resilience in women with breast cancer

Introduction. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between religiosity, anxiety, depression, and psychological resilience in patients with breast cancer. Methods. This study was conducted cross-sectionally at the Cancer Patient Support Clinic in Zanjan Province (Mehraneh Specialized Clinic) in the year 2024. The sample consisted of 52 patients with breast cancer. Data were collected using the Spitzer Health Scale, the Spitzer Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Hubers Religious Beliefs Scale. Data analysis was performed using independent samples t-tests, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis using the backward method, as well as binary logistic regression. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25. Results. In this study, patients in advanced stages of cancer and those who had undergone mastectomy were found to be more religious. Additionally, symptom severity had a weak but significant correlation with depression and anxiety. Religiosity showed a positive correlation with resilience, and higher religiosity scores were associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety. Regression analysis indicated that symptom severity and religious beliefs were significant predictors of resilience. Moreover, depression was significantly related to resilience, cancer stage, and anxiety, with increased resilience reducing the likelihood of depression; patients in advanced stages were 3.6 times more likely to be depressed. Furthermore, increased symptom severity increased the likelihood of anxiety by 2.1 times, and depressed patients were 67.3 times more likely to be anxious. Conclusion. This study could serve as a starting point for further investigation into how religiosity, through providing social support, may aid in the psychological adjustment of cancer patients. Healthcare professionals should take this into consideration for incorporation into their treatment programs. Practical Implications. The findings of this research may be useful in developing new psychological interventions for patients with cancer.