Correlation of posttraumatic growth with social support, coping style in families of patients with digestive system cancer

Abstract

Objective To investigate the current status of posttraumatic growth among digestive system cancer patient′ families, and explore correlation of posttraumatic growth with social support, coping style in digestive system cancer patient′s families. Methods The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Perceived Social Support Scale and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire were used to survey the 280 digestive system cancer patient′s families. Results The mean posttraumatic growth total score in families of the patients with digestive system cancer was (46.03±15.83) points. The highest score was found for appreciation of life, the lowest was spiritual change. Meanwhile, posttraumatic growth was significantly correlated with perceived social support. The correlation coefficient was 0.730 (P < 0.01). In the coping style, there was a positive correlation between positive coping style and post-traumatic growth. The correlation coefficient was 0.644, (P < 0.01). While except personal relationship and mental change dimensions, there was a negative correlation between the post-traumatic growth with the negative coping style. The correlation coefficient was -0.155 (P < 0.05). Conclusions Family of patients with digestive system cancer also experience posttraumatic growth when their loved ones are diagnosed with cancer, but the posttraumatic growth was at the lower level. Social support and positive coping are the positive factors of post traumatic growth, and negative coping is the negative influencing factor. Key words: Neoplasms; Posttraumatic growth; Families; Social support; Coping style