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Symptom distress, catastrophic thinking, and hope in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lai, Y-H; Chang, JT-C; Keefe, FJ; Chiou, C-F; Chen, S-C; Feng, S-C; Dou, S-J; Liao, M-N
Published in: Cancer Nurs
December 2003

The purposes of this study were to explore symptom distress, catastrophic thinking (catastrophizing) and hope, and factors predicting hope in Taiwanese nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients within 3 years of receiving radiation therapy (RT). Instruments used were the modified Symptom Distress Scale, disease catastrophizing scale (modified from Coping Strategies Questionnaire), and Herth's Hope Index. Adult NPC patients (N = 115; 33 undergoing RT, 44 who completed RT within 1 year, and 38 who completed RT more than 1 year but less than 3 years) were recruited from an outpatient RT center in Northern Taiwan. Although participants' overall symptom distress was mild to moderate, they scored moderate level for several distressful symptoms: dry mouth, fatigue, hearing difficulty, loss of appetite, insomnia, and pain. Patients undergoing RT had greater symptom distress than subjects in the other 2 groups. Regression analysis revealed that catastrophizing was the only predictor of hope. Patients who engaged in catastrophizing reported much lower levels of hope. Particular care and attention are recommended to help NPC patients deal with the top distressful symptoms listed. Nursing interventions to reduce catastrophic thinking and enhance hope are discussed.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Cancer Nurs

DOI

ISSN

0162-220X

Publication Date

December 2003

Volume

26

Issue

6

Start / End Page

485 / 493

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Taiwan
  • Stress, Psychological
  • Regression Analysis
  • Radiotherapy
  • Nursing
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Status
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Lai, Y.-H., Chang, J.-C., Keefe, F. J., Chiou, C.-F., Chen, S.-C., Feng, S.-C., … Liao, M.-N. (2003). Symptom distress, catastrophic thinking, and hope in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. Cancer Nurs, 26(6), 485–493. https://doi.org/10.1097/00002820-200312000-00008
Lai, Yeur-Hur, Joseph Tung-Chien Chang, Francis J. Keefe, Chung-Fong Chiou, Shu-Ching Chen, Shu-Chin Feng, Su-Jene Dou, and Mei-Nan Liao. “Symptom distress, catastrophic thinking, and hope in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.Cancer Nurs 26, no. 6 (December 2003): 485–93. https://doi.org/10.1097/00002820-200312000-00008.
Lai Y-H, Chang JT-C, Keefe FJ, Chiou C-F, Chen S-C, Feng S-C, et al. Symptom distress, catastrophic thinking, and hope in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. Cancer Nurs. 2003 Dec;26(6):485–93.
Lai, Yeur-Hur, et al. “Symptom distress, catastrophic thinking, and hope in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.Cancer Nurs, vol. 26, no. 6, Dec. 2003, pp. 485–93. Pubmed, doi:10.1097/00002820-200312000-00008.
Lai Y-H, Chang JT-C, Keefe FJ, Chiou C-F, Chen S-C, Feng S-C, Dou S-J, Liao M-N. Symptom distress, catastrophic thinking, and hope in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. Cancer Nurs. 2003 Dec;26(6):485–493.

Published In

Cancer Nurs

DOI

ISSN

0162-220X

Publication Date

December 2003

Volume

26

Issue

6

Start / End Page

485 / 493

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Taiwan
  • Stress, Psychological
  • Regression Analysis
  • Radiotherapy
  • Nursing
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Status