Asian Oncology Nursing (종양간호연구)

Korean Oncology Nursing Society (대한종양간호학회)
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Correlation between Mental Adjustment to Cancer and Anxiety

암환자의 대응양식과 불안과의 관계

  • Oh, Pok-Ja (Department of Nursing, Sahmyook University)
  • Received : 2009.01.13
  • Accepted : 2009.02.20
  • Published : 2009.02.28
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Abstract

Purpose: This study was to identify the relationship between mental adjustment to cancer and anxiety. Method: This study used a cross-sectional descriptive design. A total of 124 ambulatory cancer patients completed the Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation. Results: There was a significantly negative correlation between anxiety and fighting spirit which was adaptive adjustment to cancer (r=-0.29, p<0.001). However, anxiety had significantly positive correlation with helplessness/hopelessness (r=0.38, p<0.001), anxious preoccupation (r=0.55, p< 0.001), and fatalism (r=0.22, p<0.05) to cancer. Conclusion: Cancer patients' mental adjustment is correlated with the degree of the psychosocial distress. Anxious preoccupation and helplessness/hopelessness are the most maladaptive adjustments whereas fighting spirit is one of the most adaptive adjustment to cancer.

Keywords

References

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