Abstract

PURPOSE
The purposes of this study were to measure the degree of uncertainty in illness, hope, and spiritual well-being and to examine the relationship among uncertainty in illness, hope, and spiritual well-being of cancer patients.
METHOD
The data were derived from answers to questionnaires obtained from 93 cancer patients at one general hospital in J area from April 6, 2004 to May 8, 2004. The collected data were analyzed by SSPS 10.0.
RESULTS
The mean score of uncertainty in illness of cancer patients was 55.96. The mean score of hope of cancer patients was 79.77, and spiritual well-being was 55.20. Uncertainty in illness of cancer patients was related negatively to hope(r=-.57, p=.000). Also uncertainty in illness of cancer patients was related negatively to spiritual well-being(r=-.57, p=.000). However, hope of cancer patients was related positively to spiritual well-being(r=.67, p=.000).
CONCLUSION
Higher uncertainty in illness was related to lower hope and spiritual well-being of cancer patients. Based upon these results, nurses should help patients to improve their hope and spiritual well-being through mediation of uncertainty in illness.

• Keywords: Cancer; Uncertainty in illness; Hope; Spiritual well-being