Association Between Emotion Regulation and Depression Among Oncology Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Emotion regulation skills play a key role in psychological adjustment during cancer treatment and may influence vulnerability to depression.

This study aimed to examine depressive symptoms and emotion regulation skills among patients receiving chemotherapy and to explore the relationship between these variables.

This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 100 patients undergoing chemotherapy in 2 oncology centers. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a personal information form, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Emotion Regulation Skills Questionnaire. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression.

Half of the participants exhibited clinically significant depressive symptoms. A significant, moderate negative correlation was found between depressive symptoms and emotion regulation skills (r = -0.666; P <.01). Emotion regulation skills emerged as the strongest predictor of depressive symptoms (β = -0.562; P <.001). Higher levels of depressive symptoms were associated with lower emotion regulation skills, with depression emerging as the strongest predictor in the model (β = -0.535; P <.001).

Patients undergoing chemotherapy are at high risk for depression, and their ability to regulate emotions plays a central role in psychological well-being. Increasing depressive symptoms were associated with marked reductions in emotion regulation capacity.

Findings underscore the importance of integrating routine depression screening and emotion regulation-focused interventions into standard oncology care. Mindfulness-based approaches, brief psychoeducational programs, and supportive counseling may strengthen emotional resilience, enhance coping during chemotherapy, and improve overall quality of life for oncology patients.