Ömer Tanriverdi, Derya Biçak Ayik
Information overload and coping style played influential roles in shaping health perception among patients with cancer. Although excessive information can overwhelm individuals, access to accurate, comprehensible, and well-structured information appears to enhance awareness and support adaptive coping. Healthcare professionals-particularly nurses-are crucial in guiding patients through effective information management and provision of psychosocial support, ultimately improving patients' perceived health and overall well-being.
BACKGROUND: Patients with cancer are frequently exposed to excessive, fragmented, and inconsistent health information; this may contribute to cognitive overload and hinder their psychological adjustment to the illness. Understanding how information overload influences coping mechanisms and perceived health status is essential for designing effective psychosocial and nursing interventions.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the relationship between information overload, psychosocial adjustment to cancer, and health perception among patients undergoing chemotherapy.
METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used. The study involved 152 patients undergoing chemotherapy at the Oncology Unit of Mardin Training and Research Hospital between June and September 2025. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, and the Cancer Information Overload Scale, Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale, and Health Perception Scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analyses, and multiple linear regression were conducted, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS: The mean health perception score was 51.02 ± 7.44, indicating a moderate to high level of perceived health. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive and statistically significant relationship between information overload and health perception (r = .183; p = .024).
CONCLUSION: Information overload and coping style played influential roles in shaping health perception among patients with cancer. Although excessive information can overwhelm individuals, access to accurate, comprehensible, and well-structured information appears to enhance awareness and support adaptive coping. Healthcare professionals-particularly nurses-are crucial in guiding patients through effective information management and provision of psychosocial support, ultimately improving patients' perceived health and overall well-being.