relationship between social support and coping strategies and disease among the cancer patients of the city of kerman

Background: cancer pain affects coping strategies in patients. besides, social protection is a tool that helps to alter the patient’s encounter with cancer. this study aimed to investigate the relationship between social support, coping, and disease strategies. methods: this was an analytical cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, and conducted using a self-made social support questionnaire and the billings and mouse coping strategies questionnaire. the study population consisted of all the cancer patients in kerman city, from september 2016 to march 2017; it was estimated to include 1400 people. based on the cochran formula, the study sample size was calculated as 300 cancer patients, which were collected using a systematic sampling method. also, data analysis was carried out using the pearson tests and regression in spss v. 21. results: the results showed a statistically significant association of social support and coping with the disease strategies (p<0.01). moreover, problem-focused coping has the most positive and direct relationship with social support. regression analysis also showed that emotional aspects (kindness and shared positive actions), service-practical support, and financial support can predict the coping strategies with disease. conclusion: according to the results, it is recommended to formulate a comprehensive care program and increase social support to enhance the problem-focused coping strategies among cancer patients.