Mental Health Literacy in Chemotherapy Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

AIM: Chemotherapy frequently causes psychological distress, which may hinder recovery. Mental health literacy supports patients in navigating these challenges. This study aimed to identify the sociodemographic, medical, and informational factors associated with mental health literacy. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 240 oncology patients receiving chemotherapy. Data were collected using a case report form and the Mental Health Literacy Scale. Analyses included the Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests. RESULTS: Mean Mental Health Literacy Scale scores were 7.60 ± 1.68 (knowledge-oriented), 5.87 ± 1.45 (beliefs-oriented), and 3.20 ± 1.06 (resource-oriented), with a total score of 16.67 ± 2.51. Knowledgeoriented scores varied significantly by gender, presence of other illnesses, and information sources. Beliefsoriented scores varied by education, employment, income, and place of residence. Resource-oriented scores differed by mental illness status and total scores differed by gender and education (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Mental Health Literacy among chemotherapy patients differed by gender, education, medical history, and information sources. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve awareness, particularly among men and those with lower education levels. Oncology professionals should integrate mental health support into routine care by implementing tailored psychosocial care programs that address cultural and socioeconomic factors and incorporate psychoeducational, peer support, and digital interventions, particularly for chemotherapy patients at greater risk of limited mental health literacy. Cite this article as: Topcu, E. M., Öztürk Turgut, E., & Doğan, S. (2026). Mental health literacy in chemotherapy patients: a cross-sectional study. Florence Nightingale Journal of Nursing, 34, 0015, doi:10.5152/FNJN.2026.26015.