Tokem, YaseminOzcelik, HanifeCicik, Atiye2019-08-012019-08-0120150162-220X1538-9804https://dx.doi.org/10.1097/NCC.0000000000000189https://hdl.handle.net/11480/3912Background: Family caregivers who provide care for cancer patients may have to cope with a variety of physical, social, and economic problems during the caregiving process. A sense of hopelessness seems to lead to increasingly negative evaluations of new situations and less effective coping strategies. Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between hopelessness and the coping strategies of the family caregivers of oncology patients. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design study was carried out in the adult oncology unit and outpatient radiation oncology units of a university hospital in Turkey. The research sample was composed of 110 family caregivers. A sociodemographic data form, the Coping Stress Strategies Scale, and the Beck Hopelessness Scale were used in face-to-face interviews. Results: Significant correlations were found between hopelessness and coping strategies. There was a positive correlation between hopelessness and the helpless approaches, which constitute a part of the emotion-focused coping strategies (r = 0.254, P < .01). There was a negative correlation between hopelessness and problem-focused coping strategies (optimistic approach and seeking social support) (r = -0.484, P < .01; r = -0.190, P < .05). Conclusion: In our study, we found that when the hopes of family caregivers are raised, they may adopt a more optimistic approach, and seek more social support, and display more effective coping strategies. Implications for Practice: This study could be used to help develop nursing interventions and efficient coping strategies. It suggests how oncology nurses may support family caregivers to increase their level of hope.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessCancer patientCoping strategiesFamily caregiversHopelessnessNursing practiceArticle384E28E3410.1097/NCC.0000000000000189251221282-s2.0-84934444165Q2WOS:000357113800004Q1