J Nurs Acad Soc.  1990 Dec;20(3):399-413.

Quality of life of Middle-Aged Persons Who have cancer

• Hahn YB
• Ro YJ
• Kim NC
• Kim HS

Abstract

This descriptive study was under taken to explore relationships among the quality of life, health locus of control and perceived state of health persons with cancer to contribute theoretical understanding about these phenomenon of interest to the quality of nursing care. The subjects of this were 200 persons with cancer(100-in patients and 100-out patients), both male and female, between 30 and 59 years of age. Data were obtained using a convenience sample technique from two university in seoul from August, 1989, to June, 1990. The instruments used for this study were the Quality of life scale developed by Ro, You-Ja and the Health Locus of Control scale developed by Wallston & Wallston. Data were analyzed using a SAS program for ANOVA, t-test, Schefffe test, Pearson Correlation Coefficients and Stepwise multiple regression. The results were as follows : 1. The scores on the quality of life scale ranged from 95 to 191 with as mean of 147.85(range 47 to 235). The Mean scores(range 1-5) on the different dimensions were family relationships 3.50, relationships with neighbours 3.48m self-esteem 3.17, physical state and function 2.99, economic life 2.93 and emotional life 2.91. 2. Significantly higher scores on the quality of life and demographic characteristics were as follows : the quality of life for women(t=2.80, p=.006), for those without complications(t=2.54, p=.013), and for those who perceived their illness as mild(F=4.85, p=.009). Higher scores on quality of life were correlated with the following : 1) emotional state and the age group 50-59(F=3.43, p=.34). 2) economic life and higher income(F=6.72, p=.002), those without complications(t=2.68, p=.00), and those who perceived their illness as mild(F=3.11, p=.05). 3) self-esteem and marriage(F=3.64, p=.028), those without complications(t=2.18, p=.03), and those who perceived their illness as mild(F=7.72, p=.000). 4) physical state and function and the age group 30-39(F=4.65, p=.010), those without complications(t=2.00, p=.05), and those who perceived their illness as mild(F=3.38, p=.04). 5) family relationship and those who live with their spouse(t=2.82, p=.005). 3. There was a significant positive correlation between the subjects perceptions of their current state of health and the quality of life score(r=.4364, p=.0001). 4. There was no relationship between Locus of control and quality of life in this sample. 5. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that : 1) the perception of current health status was the main predictor and accounted for 20.11% of the total variance. 2) sex and educational level accounted for an additional 21.71% of the total variance. 6. The quality of life and the perception of their current health status of these patients with cancer were generally lower than those of healthy adults as noted in previous studies. In conclusion, the quality of life for these cancer patients was generally low especially in regard to their emotional state. The current perceived state of health, sex, complications and perceived degree of illness were important variables relating to quality of life.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Age Factors
Analysis of Variance
Attitude to Health
Female
Health Status
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasms/*psychology
*Quality of Life
Self Concept
Socioeconomic Factors