Predictors of Post traumatic growth among breast cancer patients in Nepal

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence, correlates and predictors of posttraumatic growth among breast cancer patients in Nepal. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Structured form for socio-demographic and disease related information, Post traumatic growth Inventory (PTGI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to collect information from 120 participants. Study was carried out in various departments: out-patient department, chemo therapy department, radiation department, surgical department and palliative department of Bhaktapur cancer hospital, Nepal from May 2013 to August 2013. Data were analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 16. Result: Mean post traumatic growth (PTG) score was 54.62 (S.D=13.66). 19.2% of respondents had no or low level of PTG and 80.8%had moderate to high levels of PTG. Among the factors of PTG, majority of respondents (85%) showed growth in relating to others, followed by appreciation of life (74.2%), spiritual change (67.5%), personal strength (63.3%), and new possibilities (45.8%). Post traumatic growth was found to be significantly positively correlated with educational status of respondents (r=0.220, P=0.016) and negatively correlated with year since diagnosis (r=-0.253, P=0.005), anxiety level of respondents (r=-0.286, P=0.002) and depression level of respondents (r=-0.200, P=0.029). Age ofrespondents (P=0.003, B=-0.331 and Beta=-0.247) and depression level of respondents (P=0.000, B=-1.968 and Beta=-0.401) accounts for 25.1% of variance in post traumatic growth of respondents. Conclusion: Holistic approach in breast cancer treatment is a need to address psychological morbidities which have been found to be determining factors for post traumatic growth, quality of life and finally survival of the patient.