J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2021 Feb;28(1):32-42. 10.7739/jkafn.2021.28.1.32.

Impact of Posttraumatic Growth and Health Promoting Behavior on Quality of Life in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer

• Kim MA
• Lee HJ

• KMID: 2513309
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7739/jkafn.2021.28.1.32

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of posttraumatic growth and health promoting behavior on quality of life (QOL) of patients with gastrointestinal cancer.
Methods
The study was a cross-sectional, descriptive design. Participants were 142 patients with gastrointestinal cancer who were seen at Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences in Busan. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis with SPSS/WIN 23.0 program.
Results
The results show that QOL had a significant correlation with posttraumatic growth (r=.24, p=.004) and health promoting behavior (r=.49, p<.001). Posttraumatic growth had a significant correlation with health promoting behavior (r=.54, p<.001). Multiple regression analysis for QOL revealed that the most powerful predictor was stress management in the sub-area of health promoting behavior. Stress management, coping skills, preciousness of life, diagnosis and duration since diagnosis explained 38.0% of the variance in QOL.
Conclusion
Findings indicate that various factors are related to the QOL of patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Based on the results of this study, further development and application of specific nursing programs to improve posttraumatic growth and health promoting behavior with a focus on improving stress management and coping ability, are needed to improve the QOL of gastrointestinal cancer patients.

Keyword

Gastrointestinal neoplasms; Health promotion; Posttraumatic growth; Quality of life; 소화기계 암, 삶의 질, 외상 후 성장, 건강증진