The patients in the terminal phase of cancer show a high level of depression, anxiety and somatization, that cause an alteration of the quality of life and the risk of failure to achieve life goals (Hack, Chochinov, Hassard, Kristjanson, McClement and Harlos, 2004). The literature shows that in the terminal phase, the social and family support have a positive effect on quality of patient’s life (McClement, Chochinov, Hack, Hassard, and Harlos, 2007), whereas symptom distress, worry and negative appraisal of illness or low level of caregiving have a negative effect (Northouse, Mood, Kershaw, Schafenacker, Mellon, Walker, Galvin and Decker, 2002). The aim of this study is to explore the psychological distress in patients with cancer and to identify the influence of parental style and family relationship on it. In particular, we hypothesize: a) the presence of positive correlation between level of anxiety and depression with parental bond; b) the existence of a significant relationship between family involvement and positive psychological status of the patient. The sample is made up of 20 patients which cancer, aged between 39 and 79 years (M= 60.15; S.D= 14.89), including 10 women and 10 men. They completed: Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire (MHQ; Crown and Crisp, 1966) to identify psychological distress; Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI; Parker, Tupling and Brown, 1979) to estimate fundamental parental styles; Demetra Test (Scrimali and Grimaldi, 2003) to evaluate family relationship; Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI; Chochinov, Hassard, McClement, Hack, Kristianson, Harlos, Sinclair and Murray, 2008) designed to measure various sources of dignity-related distress among patients nearing the end of life. The results show that: level of depression is correlated to anxiety (r=.853; p<.001) and to somatization (r=.455; p<.05); this dimension is related to phobia ( r=.46; p<.05). The mother’s caregiving influences patient’s tendency to somatize (F = 5.832; p < .05); the father’s control affects the level of hysteria (F= 3.204; p<05). In group of women, parental involvement influence the patient's tendency to somatization (F=5.005; p<.05) and to phobia (F=4.019; p <.05). In group of men, family relationship influences spiritual and psychosocial distress of patient. This study is important for a better understanding of long-term survivors’ quality of life.

Psychological status of patients with cancer: influence of parenting and family relationship

PELLERONE, MONICA;
2014-01-01

Abstract

The patients in the terminal phase of cancer show a high level of depression, anxiety and somatization, that cause an alteration of the quality of life and the risk of failure to achieve life goals (Hack, Chochinov, Hassard, Kristjanson, McClement and Harlos, 2004). The literature shows that in the terminal phase, the social and family support have a positive effect on quality of patient’s life (McClement, Chochinov, Hack, Hassard, and Harlos, 2007), whereas symptom distress, worry and negative appraisal of illness or low level of caregiving have a negative effect (Northouse, Mood, Kershaw, Schafenacker, Mellon, Walker, Galvin and Decker, 2002). The aim of this study is to explore the psychological distress in patients with cancer and to identify the influence of parental style and family relationship on it. In particular, we hypothesize: a) the presence of positive correlation between level of anxiety and depression with parental bond; b) the existence of a significant relationship between family involvement and positive psychological status of the patient. The sample is made up of 20 patients which cancer, aged between 39 and 79 years (M= 60.15; S.D= 14.89), including 10 women and 10 men. They completed: Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire (MHQ; Crown and Crisp, 1966) to identify psychological distress; Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI; Parker, Tupling and Brown, 1979) to estimate fundamental parental styles; Demetra Test (Scrimali and Grimaldi, 2003) to evaluate family relationship; Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI; Chochinov, Hassard, McClement, Hack, Kristianson, Harlos, Sinclair and Murray, 2008) designed to measure various sources of dignity-related distress among patients nearing the end of life. The results show that: level of depression is correlated to anxiety (r=.853; p<.001) and to somatization (r=.455; p<.05); this dimension is related to phobia ( r=.46; p<.05). The mother’s caregiving influences patient’s tendency to somatize (F = 5.832; p < .05); the father’s control affects the level of hysteria (F= 3.204; p<05). In group of women, parental involvement influence the patient's tendency to somatization (F=5.005; p<.05) and to phobia (F=4.019; p <.05). In group of men, family relationship influences spiritual and psychosocial distress of patient. This study is important for a better understanding of long-term survivors’ quality of life.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11387/97756
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