Relationship between sense of coherence and physical function and social support in a sample of Iranian geriatrics with cancer

Introduction: With age increases, the risk of cancer increases, and the importance of examining important sources of adjustment, including a sense of coherence, physical function, and social support to control the living conditions of these people, is of particular importance. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the relationship between a sense of coherence and physical function, and social support. Materials and Methods: The present study is a correlational study that was performed on 120 elderly people with cancer by available sampling in selected hospitals of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. Data collection tools were a short cognitive test scale, sense of coherence, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and social support questionnaires. Results: The results showed that the sense of coherence had a significant positive relationship with physical function in the field of instrumental activities of daily living and activities of daily living and social support, but social support did not have a significant positive relationship with the two variables of physical function. Also, the mean of a general sense of coherence was 15/28±54/88, physical function was 99/60±13/3 and 56/70±9/4 and social support was 78/96±61/14. Conclusion: The results showed the sense of coherence was positively related to the two variables of physical function and social support. Since a sense of coherence can help improve the physical function and social support of the elderly with cancer, the need for strategies and interventions based on promoting a sense of cohesion by nurses and other clinicians is emphasized.