Effect of Education and Socioeconomic Status on Anxiety, Depression and Stress Level of Cancer Patients

Abstract

The prevalence of psychological distress among cancer patients is high, and they are at higher risk of developing severe anxiety, depression and potential mood disorders.  The present research examined educational level and socioeconomic status differences in the degree of anxiety, depression and stress among cancer patients. The sample consisted of 540 patients within the age range of 25-45 years. The sample for the study was obtained from the various Hospitals of Ahmedabad city. The purposive sampling technique was used because the patients were selected on the basis of the inclusion-exclusion criteria such as 1) age range within 25-45 years; 2) willingness to participate in the present research; 3) suffering from lungs and breast cancer in the first stage; and 4) being treated in outdoor settings of public hospitals of Ahmedabad city. Results of present research work demonstrate that there is an influence of education level and socioeconomic status of cancer patients on anxiety, stress and depression level of cancer patients. The government should focus on characteristics of lower-income occupation and lower educational attainment group to develop more accurate and effective prevention and treatment strategies for cancer.