The Relationship between Psychological Distress and Coping Strategies in Patients with Advanced or Terminal Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

Abstract

Objectives: This study was aim to describe the relationship between psychological distress and coping strategies among patients with advanced or terminal stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Material and Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Data were collect from hospitalized sample at medical units in a tertiary care hospital in southern Thailand during April 2015 - December 2016. Ninety-six sample of advanced or terminal stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Research instruments consisted of 4 parts: (1) a demographic data form, (2) The Karnofsky Performance Status Scale, (3) psychological distress questionnaires using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and (4) coping strategies questionnaire developed by researchers based on Lazarus and Folkman’s stress and coping theory and literature reviews. Cronbach’s alphas for Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and coping strategies questionnaire were 0.89 and 0.84. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient was used. Results: A relationship analysis found that there was a moderate, negative correlation between psychological distress and coping strategies (r=-0.66, p-value<0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study reveal that increases in psychological distress were correlated with decreases in coping strategies among patients with advanced or terminal stage hepatocellular carcinoma. A screening assessment for psychological distress is needed. The results of this study can be used for developing nursing program to promote effective coping strategies among patients with advanced or terminal stage hepatocellular carcinoma to help them live well at the end of life.

Keywords

• advanced stage
• coping strategies
• hepatocellular carcinoma
• psychological distress
• terminal stage