The Effects Of Psychological Interventions On The Illness Uncertainty And Coping Styles Of Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Objective:To investigate the illness uncertainty of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in Gansu province, and explore the related factors of illness uncertainty in their individual characteristics, as well as to analysis the correlation between illness uncertainty and coping styles. To evaluate the effects of psychological interventions on alleviating the illness uncertainty and improving patients'coping styles.Methods:Using convenience sampling method,84 patients of breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy or postoperative chemotherapy in tumor hospital of Gansu province were selected. After getting informed consent, the participants were distributed into the intervention group and the control group. Then, their baseline levels were investigated by Using the general condition survey, the Chinese version of Uncertainty of Illness Scale (Medical Uncertainty Inventory Scale, MUIS-A), Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ). After the first survey, patients in the control group were received routine hospital care, while the intervention group were received psychological interventions in addition to routine care. The illness uncertainty of the participants and their coping styles were evaluated after three cycles of the psychological intervention, to analysis the effects of the psychological interventions.Results:1.The level of illness uncertainty in 84 patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy was 79.05±12.732(x±SD), with 67.9% patients living with moderate level of illness uncertainty.2. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that the following three factors can significantly influence the illness uncertainty of the patients:self-assessment about health, per-capita household income, chemotherapy regimens. Partial correlation analysis indicated that the illness uncertainty was negatively related to "confrontation" coping mode, positively related to "resignation" coping mode.3. Before intervention, There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in the general condition, the total uncertainty, every factor of uncertainty, and every kind of coping styles(P>0.05). After intervention, There were significant differences between two groups on the scores in total uncertainty, every factor of uncertainty (P<0.05), the scores of the intervention group lower than the control group. At the same time, the scores on total coping styles and the "confrontation" coping mode were higher in the intervention group, while the scores on "avoidance" coping mode were lower than the control group, the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusions:1.The patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in Gansu province all experienced illness uncertainty. The general condition such as self-assessment about health, per-capita household income, chemotherapy regimens and other psychological and social factors could affect their illness uncertainty.2. The illness uncertainty of the patients was significantly correlated to their coping styles.3. The psychological intervention could decrease the level of illness uncertainty of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and improve their coping styles.