Fatigue Experience and Coping Strategies among Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anika Dahal ◽  
Raj Kumar Meheta

Background:  Cancer is considered one of the foremost common causes of death. Fatigue is among the distressing symptoms for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Adequate coping is essential for individual to deal with the effects of cancer related treatment. The objective of the study was to find out the fatigue experience and coping strategies among cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional research design was used for the study. The samples was taken from day care and medical oncology ward of BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur. A total of 120 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy of 18 years and above were selected by using non probability consecutive sampling technique. Data was collected by using standard tool, Fatigue Symptom Inventory and Brief Cope. Data analysis was done by descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: The study revealed that 82.5% of respondents had experienced fatigue and 50.8% respondents had used adequate coping strategies where “self distraction”(2.76±1.02) was the most used coping strategy by the respondents. Fatigue experience and coping strategies had negative correlation (r=-0.490, p=<0.001).Conclusions: Majority of the respondents had experienced fatigue, and half of the respondents used adequate coping strategies. The different methods of coping strategies for fatigue and chemotherapy related effects should be expanded as per the best available evidence to lower fatigue and other adverse effects.

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anika Dahal ◽  
Raj Kumar Meheta

Background: Cancer is considered one of the foremost common causes of death. Fatigue is among the distressing symptoms for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Adequate coping is essential for individual to deal with the effects of cancer related treatment. The objective of the study was to find out the fatigue experience and coping strategies among cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional research design was used for the study. The samples was taken from day care and medical oncology ward of BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur. A total of 120 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy of 18 years and above were selected by using non probability consecutive sampling technique. Data was collected by using standard tool, Fatigue Symptom Inventory and Brief Cope. Data analysis was done by descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: The study revealed that 82.5% of respondents had experienced fatigue and 50.8% respondents had used adequate coping strategies where “self distraction”(2.76±1.02) was the most used coping strategy by the respondents. Fatigue experience and coping strategies had negative correlation (r=-0.490, p=<0.001).Conclusions: Majority of the respondents had experienced fatigue, and half of the respondents used adequate coping strategies. The different methods of coping strategies for fatigue and chemotherapy related effects should be expanded as per the best available evidence to lower fatigue and other adverse effects.Keywords: Cancer; chemotherapy; coping strategies; fatigue.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 467
Author(s):  
Diah Merdekawati ◽  
Dasuki Dasuki

<p><em>Pre-school age is particularly vulnerable to the effects of stress and fear during hospitalization. Children under the age of 6 are less able to think about an event as a whole, have not been able to determine behavior that can overcome the fear based on experience ever experienced and coping strategies ever done. The aims of this research to know correlation family support with child anxious response during infusion. This study was a quantitative with correlation study using cross sectional method. There were 51 respondents participated in this research. Data were collected through observation with purposive sampling technique. Then, data were analysed through univariate and bivariate. The result of univariate statistic test revealed that as much as 64.7% had good family support and 56.9% experienced an anxious response during infusion. The result of  bivariate statistic test showed that there was a positive correlation with moderate strength between family support and child's anxious response during infusion. This riset showed that families should provide support when children experience fear, anxiety and pain during infusion.</em></p><p><em><br /></em></p><p>Usia pra sekolah sangat rentan terhadap efek stress dan ketakutan selama rawat inap. Anak- anak dibawah usia 6 tahun kurang mampu berpikir tentang suatu peristiwa secara keseluruhan, belum bisa menentukan perilaku yang dapat mengatasi ketakutan berdasarkan pengalaman yang pernah dialami dan strategi koping yang pernah dilakukan. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui korelasi dukungan keluarga dengan respon cemas anak saat pemasangan infus. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif studi korelatif dengan metode <em>cross secsional</em>. Sebanyak 51 responden terlibat dalam penelitian ini. Pengumpulan data melalui observasi. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan secara <em>purposive sampling. </em>Analisis data dilakukan secara <em>univariat </em>dan<em> bivariat. </em>Dari hasil uji statistik univariat diketahui sebanyak 64,7% memiliki dukungan keluarga baik dan 56,9% mengalami respon cemas saat pemasangan infus. Hasil uji statistik bivariat menunjukkan ada korelasi positif dengan kekuatan sedang antara dukungan keluarga dengan respon cemas anak saat pemasangan infus. Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa keluarga sebaiknya memberikan dukungannya pada saat anak mengalami ketakutan, kecemasan dan rasa nyeri pada saat pemasangan infus.</p><p><em><br /></em></p>


Author(s):  
Muhammad Salman ◽  
Noman Asif ◽  
Zia Ul Mustafa ◽  
Tahir Mehmood Khan ◽  
Naureen Shehzadi ◽  
...  

Abstract High levels of stress are expected when crises affect people’s lives. Therefore, this web-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among university students from Pakistan to investigate the psychological impairment and coping strategies during COVID-19 pandemic. Google forms were used to disseminate the online questionnaire to assess anxiety (Generalized Anxiety disorder-7), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and the coping strategies (Brief-COPE). A total of 1134 responses (age 21.7±3.5 years) were included. The frequency of students having moderate-severe anxiety and depression (score ≥ 10) were ≍ 34% and 45%, respectively. The respondents’ aged ≥ 31 years had significantly lower depression score than those ≤ 20 years (p = 0.047). Males had significantly less anxiety (6.62 ± 5.70 vs 7.84 ± 5.60, p = 0.001) and depression (8.73 ± 6.84 vs 9.71 ± 7.06, p = 0.031) scores. Those having family member, friend or acquaintances infected with disease had significantly higher anxiety score (8.89 ± 5.74 vs 7.09 ± 5.56, p < 0.001). Regarding coping strategies, majority of respondents were found to have adopted religious/spiritual coping (6.45 ± 1.68) followed by acceptance (5.58 ± 1.65), self-distraction (4.97 ± 1.61) and active coping (4.81 ± 1.57). In conclusion, COVID-19 cause significant impairment on mental health of the students. The most frequent coping strategy adopted by students were religious/spiritual and acceptance coping. During epidemics mental health of students should not be neglected.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zohreh Tavakoli ◽  
Ali Montazeri ◽  
Ali Asghar Farshad ◽  
Zahra Lotfi ◽  
Ismail Noor Hassim

BACKGROUND: Physicians are at risk of having high levels of stress which affect their performance. Finding the stressors and the coping skills to manage stress could be used to develop program to decrease stressful situation. No study has been done on Physicians' stress and coping in Iran. The main objective of this study is to find out the main stressors and coping strategies among Iranian Physicians working in hospital in Tehran-Iran.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 780 Physicians,using a questionnaire consisted of two sections ;The first section were the stressors which included 67 questions and The second section were The Brief COPE with 28-items for assessing a broad range of coping behaviors among respondents.RESULTS: A total of 1100 questionnaires were distributed to all the available Physicians in the hospitals selected. 780 Physicians returned complete questionnaires with observed response rate of 75%. The majority of respondents (56.9%) were women. The first 3 sources of stress in workplace (Job stressors) are physical environment problem (75%), too much volume of work and poorly paid. The main sources of stress outside the work place (non-job stressors) ranked by Physicians were; financial problem (9.09), not enough time to spend with family (8.87), conflicts with household tasks (7.36).The top five coping strategies used by Iranian Physicians were Behavioral Disengagement, Planning, Instrumental support, Acceptance, and turning to religion.CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that both workplace and non-job sources of stress can affect the Physicians performance and there is an association between gender and coping skills.


Author(s):  
Shahid Bilal ◽  
Jaiperkash Dayaram ◽  
Ali Nawaz Bijarani ◽  
Mariam Muneer ◽  
Saba Arshad ◽  
...  

Aims: The aim of current study is to find out the prevalence of depression in doctors in different hospitals of Karachi and its association with lifestyle, the field of specialty and coping mechanisms. Place and Duration of Study: The sample was collected from 10 different hospitals of Karachi, in a period of one Year i.e., March 2019 to February 2020. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design using non-probability consecutive type of sampling technique was used. Sample size was calculated at 95% confidence interval and was found to be 368. The sample was classified in two broader categories Surgery & Allied and Medicine & Allied. For identification of depression level, Public Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used. A 28-item questionnaire Brief COPE was used to asses coping mechanisms. Results: In total 400 forms were used for data analysis. The mean age of doctors was 35 ± 4 years, 65% were males while 35% were females, there was a statistically significant association of female gender with depression. Chi-Square was applied to determine the association of depression and departments and it was found to be highly significant with a P < .001. Highest level of depression was found in Orthopedics and Psychiatry departments followed by Surgery and Gynecology. While Otolaryngology was the least depressed department. Chi-square was applied and a statistically significant association of low monthly income and depression with a p-value of 0.02. In Surgery and allied there was a statistically significant association of depression with extensive working hours and lack of facilities with a p-value of 0.01 and 0.04. While in Medicine and allied there was a statistically significant association of depression with a harsh attitude of seniors and an uncomfortable working environment with a p-value of 0.02 and 0.03. A linear regression model comparing depression and its associations with coping strategies was applied. Conclusion: Our study shows that depression is present in a vast majority of doctors from multiple specialties. Various risk factors for depression have also been identified so appropriate coping strategies should be formulated to deal with it.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 375-382
Author(s):  
Soodeh Maghsoodi ◽  
◽  
Zahra Salehinejad ◽  

Background: Cancer pain affects coping strategies in patients. Besides, social protection is a tool that helps to alter the patient’s encounter with cancer. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between social support, coping, and disease strategies. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, and conducted using a self-made social support questionnaire and the Billings and Mouse coping strategies questionnaire. The study population consisted of all the cancer patients in Kerman City, from September 2016 to March 2017; it was estimated to include 1400 people. Based on the Cochran formula, the study sample size was calculated as 300 cancer patients, which were collected using a systematic sampling method. Also, data analysis was carried out using the Pearson tests and regression in SPSS V. 21. Results: The results showed a statistically significant association of social support and coping with the disease strategies (P<0.01). Moreover, problem-focused coping has the most positive and direct relationship with social support. Regression analysis also showed that emotional aspects (kindness and shared positive actions), service-practical support, and financial support can predict the coping strategies with disease. Conclusion: According to the results, it is recommended to formulate a comprehensive care program and increase social support to enhance the problem-focused coping strategies among cancer patients.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 51-55
Author(s):  
B Bhattarai ◽  
S Maskey ◽  
M Lopchan

Changing emotional and physical status along with increasing social, family and academic pressure adolescents experience stress and their coping abilities determine the outcome. The objective of the study was to find out the level of stress and coping strategies among adolescents studying at Skyrider Higher Secondary English Boarding School, Ratnanagar-12, Chitwan. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used in which a total of 50 adolescence studying in grade 9 and 10 were selected by using non- probability purposive sampling technique. The study findings revealed that the mean age of respondents was 15.26 ± 0.96, 48% respondents had high level of stress. Statistically, there was significant association between respondents’ level of stress and sex (P= 0.025), type of residence (P=0.049) and father’s education level (P= 0.045). “Investing in close friends” is the most common and “Avoiding” is the least common coping strategy used by adolescents. Overall study concluded that the adolescents has high stress level whereas as they use various coping strategies. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-46
Author(s):  
Andrea Bovero ◽  
Francesca Cotardo ◽  
Vanni Pierotti ◽  
Francesco Gottardo ◽  
Rossana Botto ◽  
...  

Context: Patients’ personality traits can play an important role in the end-of-life care process. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between personality traits and dignity in cancer patients nearing death. In addition, the associations between personality traits and physical, psychological symptoms, and coping strategies during the end-of-life stage were explored. Methods: The study is cross-sectional. The sample consisted of 210 participants with a Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) lower than 50 and a life expectancy of a few weeks. For each patient, personal and clinical data were collected and a set of validated rating scales, assessing personality, dignity, physical, psychological symptoms and coping strategies was administered during the first psychological consultation. Results: The results highlighted significant associations between personality traits and dignity. In particular, Conscientiousness was negatively correlated with Social Support and Extroversion was negatively associated with Loss of Purpose and Meaning. Neuroticism was related to all the dimensions of dignity and Extroversion was significantly associated with the physical and psychological symptoms. Regarding coping styles, active coping strategies were predictors of Extroversion and Agreeableness. Conversely, anxiety symptoms predicted the Neuroticism trait. Conclusions: Personality traits seem to be actively involved into the loss of dignity. These findings highlighted the importance of including personality traits and dignity into the patient’s care process. Exploring individual differences and coping mechanisms at the end-of-life could improve palliative care and lead to better patient-tailored psychological interventions.


2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-6
Author(s):  
Jincy Jose ◽  
Blessy Antony ◽  
Usha Ukande

Across the world, there are people who suffer from different types of cancers. These patients suffer problems of anxiety and depression as the commonest psychological problems. Therefore, an exploratory study was conducted to assess the anxiety, depression and coping strategies in diagnosed cancer patients in selected hospital of Indore. Samples of 50 patients both males and females were taken for the study using non-probability purposive sampling technique. Assessment of data was done using standardized tools i.e. Hamilton's anxiety scale, Beck's Depression inventory and a set of 5 open ended questionnaire for the patients. Statistical findings revealed that there was no association between the level of anxiety and the socio demographic variables. The findings of the study revealed that majority of the cancer patients suffer from symptoms of anxiety (23 out of 50 patients, 46%) and depression (19 out of 50 patients, 38%) in their daily life. To adapt to these stressful conditions patients can use a wide range of diversional methods or coping strategies. In the study, it was found that patients used different coping strategies like watching television, engaged in spiritual activities and spending time with friends being the commonest methods.


Author(s):  
Maria Jocelyn B. Natividad ◽  
Khalid A Aljohani ◽  
Helen M. Gamboa

Background: A year after the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world, the pandemic is still affecting healthcare systems with an increasing number of infected healthcare workers. Such a unique situation may often result in emotional turmoil, anxiety, depression, and fear, which could lead to resignation and burnout. The study intended to assess the feelings of nurses toward the COVID-19 outbreak; ascertain the factors that cause stress; and determine their coping strategies and factors contributing to coping. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was utilized to recruit 313 nurses working in the Ministry of Health (Saudi Arabia) hospitals that accommodate COVID-19 patients. The study instrument was adapted and modified from the ”MERS-CoV Staff Questionnaire” and the Brief COPE. Results: The results showed that female, married, those with a bachelor’s degree, and aged 25–34 years had higher significant coping strategies. On the other hand, Filipino nurses assigned in the Outpatient Department and COVID-19 Isolation Ward had more negative feelings and encountered several factors causing stress but were coping in a better way than others. Conclusion: Nurses’ commitment to their profession appears to be an intrinsic motivation to continue caring for COVID-19 patients despite the risk of infection. Comfort with religion, spiritual beliefs, and the presence of a support system were the coping strategies used by nurses to ameliorate the stress and negative feelings during the COVID-19 outbreak.


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