Asian Oncol Nurs.  2024 Jun;24(2):63-72. 10.5388/aon.2024.24.2.63.

The Influence of Uncertainty in Illness and Coping on Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

• Kim JA
• Yu J

• KMID: 2557651
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5388/aon.2024.24.2.63

Abstract

Purpose
This study investigated the influence of uncertainty in illness and coping on the quality of life (QoL) of colorectal cancer patients.
Methods
Research involved 160 colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at a single tertiary hospital. Data collected between August 3 and October 8, 2020, were analyzed using t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis with SPSS/WIN 25.0.
Results
Results revealed low scores for ‘global health status’ but moderate scores for ‘function scale’ and ‘symptom scale.’ Uncertainty in illness exhibited a negative correlation, while coping correlated positively with QoL. Coping (β=.52, p<.001) and uncertainty in illness (β=-.26, p<.001) significantly influenced ‘global health status.’ Coping (β=.42, p<.001), uncertainty in illness (β=-.17, p=.021), and side effect symptoms (yes) (β=-.16, p=.022) were influencing factors in ‘function scale,’ and coping (β=-.33, p<.001) and side effect symptoms (yes) (β=.22, p=.002) were influencing factors for ‘symptom scale.’
Conclusion
The findings underscore the importance of enhancing coping skills and reducing uncertainty in illness to improve QoL among colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Consequently, nursing interventions assessing and managing uncertainty in illness, empowering positive coping strategies, and effectively managing side effect symptoms are imperative for enhancing the QoL of colorectal cancer patients.

Keyword

Colorectal neoplasms; Coping skills; Drugtherapy; Quality of life; Uncertainty