Bo Yun Sim1, Young Whee Lee2, Hwasoon Kim2, Soo Hyun Kim3. 1. College of Nursing, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 2. Department of Nursing, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea. 3. Department of Nursing, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: soohyun@inha.ac.kr.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is defined as positive psychological changes experienced as a result of struggle with highly challenging life circumstances. Interest in PTG has increased in cancer survivorship care; however, little is known about PTG among stomach cancer survivors. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of PTG, and to identify relationships between PTG and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive design. In total, 122 stomach cancer survivors were recruited from one university hospital in South Korea. Measurements included the Korean version of the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy--General Population. RESULTS: Over half (53.3%) of the participants experienced moderate to high levels of PTG. 'Change of self-perception' was the most common growth domain, followed by 'relating to others', 'new possibilities' and 'spiritual change'. Older age, low socio-economic status (i.e. low education level and low monthly income) and lack of religion were associated with lower levels of PTG. Survivors with higher levels of PTG had better social/family well-being (P < 0.001) and better functional well-being (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Psychological interventions to enhance PTG may have a positive effect on impaired HRQOL among stomach cancer survivors.
PURPOSE: Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is defined as positive psychological changes experienced as a result of struggle with highly challenging life circumstances. Interest in PTG has increased in cancer survivorship care; however, little is known about PTG among stomach cancer survivors. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of PTG, and to identify relationships between PTG and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive design. In total, 122 stomach cancer survivors were recruited from one university hospital in South Korea. Measurements included the Korean version of the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy--General Population. RESULTS: Over half (53.3%) of the participants experienced moderate to high levels of PTG. 'Change of self-perception' was the most common growth domain, followed by 'relating to others', 'new possibilities' and 'spiritual change'. Older age, low socio-economic status (i.e. low education level and low monthly income) and lack of religion were associated with lower levels of PTG. Survivors with higher levels of PTG had better social/family well-being (P < 0.001) and better functional well-being (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Psychological interventions to enhance PTG may have a positive effect on impaired HRQOL among stomach cancer survivors.
Authors: Georg Hoene; Rudolf M Gruber; Johanna J Leonhard; Bernhard Wiechens; Boris Schminke; Philipp Kauffmann; Henning Schliephake; Phillipp Brockmeyer Journal: Mol Clin Oncol Date: 2021-07-15