Hope-Promoting Strategies: Perspectives of Iranian Women with Breast Cancer About the Role of Social Support

Abstract

Background: Promoting hope, resulting in more positive health outcomes for patients with breast cancer and social support, is an important aspect of caring for people with this disease. Few studies have addressed how women with breast cancer to become hopeful with social support. Objectives: This study aimed at explaining the perception of Iranian women with breast cancer regarding the role of social support in promoting their hope. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted with conventional content analysis method through in-depth semi-structured interviews held with 17 breast cancer women selected through purposive sampling at Shohada-e Tajrish Hospital in Tehran (capital of Iran). The data were collected from July 2016 to December 2017. The Graneheim &Lundman method was used for analyzing and interpreting the data, while the criteria of the Guba and Lincoln method were used to ensure the trustworthiness of these data. Results: Supportive network as a theme and three major groups were obtained from the data analysis as follow. Family support (spousal support and first-degree relatives’ support), community support (peer support group and governmental/non-governmental organizations support), and the healthcare provider’s support. Accordingly, received support from the three support networks leads to promoting hope in women with breast cancer. Conclusions: The promotion of hope in women with breast cancer requires the development of the supportive network. Nurses should design and implement appropriate programs based on this support network, which includes family support, community support, and the healthcare provider’s support.