Yuqun Zhang1,2, Pengcheng Li2, Yuanyuan Ma2, Shengqin Mao1, Guohong Li3, Aiming Zheng4, Yonggui Yuan1. 1. Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China. 2. School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China. 3. Nursing Department, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China. 4. Mental Health Education and Research Center of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To explore the prevalence of health anxiety (HA) and related factors in Chinese patients with physical diseases. DESIGN AND METHODS: Three-hundred twenty-eight patients completed a series of scales about personality, HA, and quality of life (QoL). FINDINGS: The prevalence of HA in all patients was 42.07%. HA was significantly correlated with neuroticism, alexithymia, and QoL. Moreover, physical and psychological QoL as well as neuroticism could predict 41.8% of HA. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses should pay more attention to the HA of patients with physical diseases. Appropriate psychological interventions need to be used to improve patients' HA and QoL.
PURPOSE: To explore the prevalence of health anxiety (HA) and related factors in Chinese patients with physical diseases. DESIGN AND METHODS: Three-hundred twenty-eight patients completed a series of scales about personality, HA, and quality of life (QoL). FINDINGS: The prevalence of HA in all patients was 42.07%. HA was significantly correlated with neuroticism, alexithymia, and QoL. Moreover, physical and psychological QoL as well as neuroticism could predict 41.8% of HA. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses should pay more attention to the HA of patients with physical diseases. Appropriate psychological interventions need to be used to improve patients' HA and QoL.