Correlation analysis of alexithymia and psychological distress in breast cancer patients with chemotherapy

Abstract

Objective To investigate the current status of alexithymia and psychological suffering in breast cancer patients with chemotherapy, and analyze the correlation between them. Methods Totally 128 breast cancer patients underwent chemotherapy were investigated by using the general information questionnaire, Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20) and psychological distress thermometer (DT). Results The total score of alexithymia in patients was (57.87±14.78) points, among which the score of disorder in describing affection was (14.94±4.41) points; the score of disorder in identify affection was (15.43±4.63) points; and the score of externally oriented thinking was (13.78±3.77) points. The total score of psychological distress in patients was (5.13±1.62) points, and 67.74% of patients suffered from moderate-severe mental pain. Spearman correlation analysis showed that: patients′ disorder in describing affection and externally oriented thinking were positively correlated with the score of mental sufferings, practical problems, communication problems and emotional problems (r=0.343-0.421; P<0.05). The score of disorder in identify affection was positively related with the score of psychological distress, practical problems, communication problems, emotional problems and mental religion problems (r=0.224-0.502; P<0.05). Conclusions The alexithymia and psychological distress are at a high level in breast cancer patients with chemotherapy, and the alexithymia is closely related to the psychological suffering of patients. Nursing workers should improve the level of alexithymia in patients, thus reducing the psychological suffering of patients. Key words: Breast neoplasms; Chemotherapy; Alexithymia; Psychological distress