Hubungan Antara Dukungan Sosial Dengan Tingkat Kecemasan Pada Orang Tua Anak Thalasemia Mayor Di Rumah Sakit Al-Islam Bandung

Abstract

Beta-thalassemia major is a chronic genetic disorder requiring lifelong treatment, imposing multiple burdens on families. Long-term care, including regular transfusions and iron chelation, makes parents prone to anxiety. According to Lazarus and Folkman’s stress and coping theory, social support acts as a protective resource when demands exceed adaptive capacity. This study aimed to examine the relationship between social support and anxiety levels among parents of children with beta-thalassemia major who are members of the POPTI Bandung Raya community and receive outpatient care at Rumah Sakit Al-Islam Bandung. This study employed a quantitative correlational cross-sectional design with a total sample of 77 respondents, conducted at Al-Islam Hospital Bandung in January 2026. The sample was obtained through total sampling based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The instruments used were the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (ZSAS). Findings indicated that most respondents reported high social support (71.4%) and mild anxiety (63.6%), with a significant negative correlation between social support and anxiety (r = –0.392; p = 0.000). The study highlights that social support, particularly from family and friends, plays a crucial role in reducing parental anxiety. Strengthening family- and community-based social support is recommended to enhance caregivers’ emotional well-being during the child’s treatment.