Korean J Adult Nurs.  2020 Oct;32(5):494-503. 10.7475/kjan.2020.32.5.494.

Stigma, Adjustment, and Quality of Life of Middle-aged Male Patients with Lung Cancer

• Yoo My
• Suh EE

• KMID: 2508301
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2020.32.5.494

Abstract

Purpose
To investigate the relationship between stigma, adjustment, and quality of life of middle-aged male patients with lung cancer and the influences of those factors on the patients’ quality of life.
Methods
A descriptive survey design was used. A total of 120 male patients between 45 to 64 years participated in the study. They answered a self-reported survey composed of Cataldo Lung Cancer Stigma Scale, Korean Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale, and The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale-General Version 4. The data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients, stepwise multiple regression by the SPSS 25 version.
Results
The stigma showed a positive correlation with “helplessness-hopelessness” and “anxious preoccupation” (r=.30, p=.001; r=.41, p<.001, respectively), and a negative correlation with emotional well-being (r=-.24, p=.008). “Helplessness-hopelessness” and “anxious preoccupation” were negatively correlated with quality of life (r=-.61, p<.001; r=-.46, p<.001, respectively). “Fatalism”, “fighting spirit”, and “cognitive avoidance” showed positive correlations with quality of life (r=.37, p<.001; r=.42, p<.001; r=.19, p=.035, respectively). Factors influencing quality of life by multiple regression were identified as helpless-hopelessness, fatalism, performance status, and anxious preoccupation (F=35.76, p<.001, Adjusted R² =54%).
Conclusion
Maximizing positive adjustment response and improving performance status were effective in improving quality of life of middle-aged male patients with lung cancer. The development of nursing interventions focusing on psychological adjustment and physical activity should be warranted for the given patient population.

Keyword

Middle aged; Lung neoplasms; Social stigma; Emotional adjustment; Quality of life