Relationship between death anxiety, spiritual well-being, and social support in patients with gynecologic cancer

Abstract Objectives This study was conducted to determine the relationship between death anxiety, spiritual well-being, and social support in patients with gynecological cancer. Methods This descriptive study consisted of 519 patients with gynecological cancers. Data were collected using a “Personal Information Form,” the “Death Anxiety Scale,” the “Spiritual Well-Being Scale,” and the “Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale.” Results The mean total score of the Death Anxiety Scale was 6.8 ± 2.95, the Spiritual Well-Being Scale was 31.16 ± 5.24, and the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale was 62.46 ± 13.76. A positive correlation was found between the scores of the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale. However, death anxiety levels were not influenced by spiritual well-being or social support levels ( p < 0.001). As the level of perceived social support increases, spiritual well-being also increases; however, no significant relationship was found between death anxiety and either spiritual well-being or perceived social support. Significance of results The findings of this study highlight the importance of social support as a key factor associated with higher levels of spiritual well-being in women with gynecological cancer. Strengthening patients’ support systems may contribute to better psychological and spiritual adjustment during cancer treatment. Although death anxiety was not significantly related to either spiritual well-being or perceived social support, this result suggests that death anxiety may be influenced by other clinical or personal factors beyond these psychosocial variables. These findings provide guidance for developing supportive care programs that prioritize social support enhancement to improve overall patient well-being.