Psychosocial Status in Turkish Scleroderma Patients: Hopelessness and Social Support

Background and aim: In patients with scleroderma, physical changes, musculoskeletal and organ involvement lead to emotional problems. This study was planned to determine the level of hopelessness and social support, as well as influencing factors, in scleroderma patients. Methodology: The study was conducted as a descriptive study in 97 scleroderma patients. The study data were collected using the “Perceived Family/Friend Support Scale (PFSS)” and the “Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS)”. Results: The mean BHS score of the participants was 6.9±5.6. The level of PFSS-friends was found to be higher in males and in those with a family history of rheumatological diseases (p<0.05). The level of PFSS-family was lower in those with a family history of miscarriage/stillbirth (p<0.05). A positive correlation was found between functional score and hopelessness, whereas a negative correlation was found with the social support scores (p<0.05). Moreover, it was determined that scores of hopelessness were decreased as the scores of social support were increased (p<0.05). Conclusion: Patients need more social support as their functional status is impaired and they are driven more to hopelessness due to a sense of dependence and role loss.