Emotional support for cancer patients: The case of Maroua Regional Hospital

The challenges associated with emotional support and the management of depression in cancer patients at Maroua Regional Hospital are cause for concern. This study, based on John Bowlby's attachment theory and Carl Rogers' person-centred approach, aims to demonstrate that emotional support improves the management of depression. The central question is: does emotional support help to manage depression? The main hypothesis is that, yes, emotional support helps to manage depression. A qualitative method was employed, with purposive sampling, including five cases with semi-structured interviews and the Beck test to assess depressive intensity. The results revealed a significant reduction in symptoms in four patients, illustrated by significant decreases in scores. Calculation of the influence rate validated the hypotheses, showing a positive impact of emotional support on depression, notably through active listening, emotional validation and encouragement. This study concludes that emotional support is an effective tool for alleviating depression in these patients.