Post-traumatic growth in stomach cancer survivors: Prevalence, correlates and relationship with health-related quality of life

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2014.10.017
• Publication Date: 2014-12-20T00:03:13Z
• Authors: Bo Yun Sim; Young Whee Lee; Hwasoon Kim; Soo Hyun Kim
• Keywords: Adult; Aged, 80 and over; Male; Middle Aged; Self Concept; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; 0302 clinical medicine; Stomach Neoplasms; Surveys and Questionnaires; Adaptation, Psychological; Republic of Korea; Prevalence; Quality of Life; Humans; Female; Survivors; Aged

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is defined as positive psychological changes experienced as a result of struggle with highly challenging life circumstances. Interest in PTG has increased in cancer survivorship care; however, little is known about PTG among stomach cancer survivors. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of PTG, and to identify relationships between PTG and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).Cross-sectional descriptive design. In total, 122 stomach cancer survivors were recruited from one university hospital in South Korea. Measurements included the Korean version of the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy--General Population.Over half (53.3%) of the participants experienced moderate to high levels of PTG. 'Change of self-perception' was the most common growth domain, followed by 'relating to others', 'new possibilities' and 'spiritual change'. Older age, low socio-economic status (i.e. low education level and low monthly income) and lack of religion were associated with lower levels of PTG. Survivors with higher levels of PTG had better social/family well-being (P < 0.001) and better functional well-being (P < 0.001).Psychological interventions to enhance PTG may have a positive effect on impaired HRQOL among stomach cancer survivors.