Daily Spiritual Experiences, Social Support, and Psychological Distress in Women with Breast Cancer in Zahedan: A Correlational Study

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer profoundly affects patients' psychological health. Research suggests that spiritual practices and social support networks can play a crucial role in mitigating the challenges associated with chronic diseases. Objectives: This study examined the relationships between daily spiritual experiences, perceived social support, and psychological distress (specifically stress, anxiety, and depression) in breast cancer patients receiving treatment at the chemotherapy clinic of Khatam Al-Anbiya Hospital in Zahedan during 2024 - 2025. Methods: In this cross-sectional correlational study, 100 eligible breast cancer patients were selected using convenience sampling from a chemotherapy clinic. Participants completed four instruments: The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and a demographic form. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics (version 24). Descriptive statistics summarized the sample. Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficients (rₛ) were computed to assess relationships between key variables, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05. Results: Analysis revealed mean scores of 46.24 ± 4.72 for spiritual experiences, 36.14 ± 11.21 for social support, and 42.26 ± 8.38 for psychological distress. A strong negative correlation emerged between social support and psychological distress (rₛ = -0.65, P < 0.001), indicating that higher perceived social support was associated with lower distress. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between daily spiritual experiences and psychological distress (rₛ = 0.09, P = 0.390). Analysis revealed average scores of 46.24 ± 4.72 for spiritual experiences, 36.14 ± 11.21 for social support, and 42.26 ± 8.38 for psychological distress. A significant negative correlation emerged between social support and stress levels, indicating that reduced social support corresponded with increased stress (P = 0.00). However, no statistically significant relationship was found between spiritual experiences and stress levels (P = 0.39). Conclusions: The development and enhancement of social support networks for breast cancer patients represent a valuable approach for distress reduction, potentially facilitating improved adaptation and coping throughout the treatment process.