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Depression and Coping Strategies Among Palliative Care Patients in a Tertiary
Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan
#MMPMID41340645
Ali H
; Jabeen I
; Zehra N
Palliat Med Rep
2025[]; 6
(1
): 574-582
PMID41340645
show ga
BACKGROUND: Depression is a common yet under-recognized condition among
palliative care patients, often affecting their psychological well-being and
quality of life. Coping strategies used by these patients may influence their
mental health outcomes and overall adaptation to illness. OBJECTIVE: To assess
the presence of depression and identify coping strategies among palliative care
patients attending a tertiary teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.
SETTING/SUBJECTS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Aga Khan University
Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, over six months (June to December 2023). A total of
81 adult patients receiving palliative care for at least one month were enrolled
in the study. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9,
while coping strategies were evaluated using the Brief COPE Inventory.
Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using SPSS v. 21. RESULTS:
Depression was present in majority of participants, with 30% showing minimal, 18%
mild, 19% moderate, 22% moderately severe, and 11% severe symptoms. The coping
styles used were problem-focused (2.65 ± 0.65), emotion-focused (2.18 ± 0.32),
and avoidant coping (1.74 ± 0.34). Female participants were more likely to employ
emotion-focused coping compared to male participants (p = 0.012). A weak inverse
correlation was observed between education level and depression severity (r =
-0.213, p = 0.056). CONCLUSION: Depression is highly prevalent among palliative
care patients in this context. Most patients adopt adaptive coping strategies,
particularly emotional support and religious coping. These findings highlight the
need for integrated psychological care as a routine component of palliative
treatment.
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