Korean J Rehabil Nurs.  1999 Jun;2(1):61-71.

The Effect of Self-help Group Program on Adaptation and Quality of Life of Mastectomy Patients

• Park YS
• Lim NY

Abstract

This quasi -experimental study was intended to test the effect of self-help group program, which is one of the way to enhance adaptation and quality of life to mastectomy patients. Data was collected from July 14, 1998 to Oct. 31, 1998 at two Medical Center in Seoul. The subjects for this study were the patients who had undergone mastectomy and were follow-up: 14 in experimental group and 14 in control group matched with age and treatment. The instruments for this study were adaptation in Lee(1994)'s physical symptom questionnaire, Zung's Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS, 1965), and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS, 1970), quality of life in Spranger(1996)'s and No(1988)'s Quality of Life Questionnaire. The self-help group program for mastectomy patients was developed based on literature review and pilot study by the investigator. The subjects of experimental group were participated in 6 weeks self - help group program and were received arm and shoulder exercise, informational support, and interpersonal support by group members. The control group were received no intervention. Both group answered questionnaires prior to intervention and 6 weeks later. The data analyzed by frequency, chi-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient and Stepwise Multiple Regression using SPSS WIN. The results are as follows; Hypothesis 1, The experimental group with the self-help group program will have a higher score on adaptation state than control group. was not supported. But the posttest score of anxiety and depression in experimental group were declined and the depression score was reduced relatively. Hypothesis 2, The experimental group with the selp-help group program will have a higher score on quality of life than control group. was not supported. But the posttest score of quality of life in experimental group was reduced relatively. Hypothesis 3, The higher adaptation state of mastectomy patients, the higher quality of life. was supported(r=.80, p .001). Additionally, the lower physical symptom, depression and anxiety, the higher quality of life. And depression, which was the main predictor of quality of life, accounted for 59.5%, depression and anxiety accounted for 65.5% of the variance in quality of life. In conclusion, when the self-help group program was intervened to mastectomy patients, it was tended to increase quality of life and to reduce depression and anxiety. So self-help group program can be considered useful nursing intervention effect on adaptation and quality of life of mastectomy patients. With discussion, I suggest repeated further research on self-help group with appropriate sample size and longitudinal study. Also during adjuvant therapy, it is needed to develop convenient method to be supported from peer group and family, such as computer mediated support group.

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Arm
Depression
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Mastectomy*
Nursing
Peer Group
Pilot Projects
Quality of Life*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Research Personnel
Sample Size
Self-Help Groups*
Seoul
Shoulder