Objective: Cancer diagnosis can confront the patients’ first care and support source, their family and caregivers, with a serious crisis, likewise, they may show depressive symptoms. Paying attention to such an issue is of special importance in promoting the patients’ health. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the extent of depression and related factors in hospitalized cancer patients’ caregivers.

Materials and methods: In the present descriptive-analytical study, 152 caregivers of hospitalized patients with cancer in Imam Khomeini hospital in Sari (Mazandaran, Iran) were selected using available sampling in 2018. The data gathering instruments included demographic and medical information questionnaire of both the caregivers and patients, and 21-item Beck depression inventory. The data were analyzed using SPSS 16 along with the descriptive statistics and inferential statistical tests such as Chi-square and Pearson correlation coefficients.

Results: According to the results, the mean depression of caregivers was 13.97±10.19, suggesting the minimum level of depressive symptoms. Nevertheless, 25.6% had moderate to severe depression. Variables such as care hour, marital status, place of residence, depression history, incidence of depression over the past six months, financial status, and the relation between the patient and caregivers had a significant relationship with depression (p<0.05). There was no significant relationship between caregivers’ depression and caregivers’ age, patient's age, caregivers’ gender, as well as duration of disease diagnosis (p>0.05).

Conclusions: Considering the supportive role of caregivers and their impact in promoting the patients’ health, it is recommended that training programs and classes be developed to reduce depression, as well as the possibility of periodic screening of companions in hospitals and, if necessary, referral to a psychiatrist in severe cases should be provided.