OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the level of hope among the three different groups and correlate their levels with demographic and clinical variables. METHODS: Descriptive study with a sample of 131 individuals (including 47 cancer patients, 40 diabetic patients and 44 caregivers/ family / caregivers) responding to Hertha's Scale of Hope, Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and an instrument including personal data. RESULTS: There was no difference in hope scores between groups. Hope was positively correlated with self-esteem and negatively correlated with depression. For cancer patients, the hope score was not related to any clinical variable. For diabetic patients, different forms of treatment and other comorbidities were not found to influence hope. CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic disease and their families had high hope scores. The measurement of hope can improve nursing care.
Life expectancy; Chronic disease; Caregivers; Family
