J Korean Oncol Nurs.  2009 Aug;9(2):129-135.

Psychosocial Adjustment, Marital Intimacy and Family Support of Post-mastectomy Patients

• Cho OH
• Yoo YS

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was to explore the psychosocial adjustment, marital intimacy and family support of post-mastectomy patients.
METHODS
The subjects were 90 post-mastectomy patients (stage I or II) who were eligible and agreed to participate in the study. The data collection period was from March to May, 2008. Subjects completed a survey including demographics, psychosocial adjustment scale by Lee (a 4-point Likert scale), marital intimacy scale by Kim (a 4-point Likert scale), and family support by Shim (a 5-point Likert scale). Data were analyzed using SAS (ver 9.0) program and frequency, mean (SD), t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficients were used.
RESULTS
The mean scores of the psychosocial adjustment and marital intimacy were 2.8 (+/-0.4) and 2.5 (+/-0.5). Also, the mean score of the family support was 3.6 (+/-0.7). Regarding the correlation between the psychosocial adjustment, marital intimacy and family support, there was a positive correlation.
CONCLUSION
These results showed that subjects who had higher marital intimacy and family support showed better in psychosocial adjustment. To improve psychosocial adjustment of post-mastectomy patients for breast cancer more effectively, there is an necessity to provide various strategic supports and intervention for effective communication with spouse and family.

Keyword

Breast cancer; Psychosocial aspects; Marital relationship; Family

MeSH Terms

Breast Neoplasms
Data Collection
Demography
Humans
Marriage
Phenothiazines
Spouses
Phenothiazines