The association between history of traumatic events and health-related quality of life among lung cancer patients

Abstract

Purpose Promoting health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a primary goal of lung cancer treatment. Trauma history and distress can negatively impact HRQOL. Design A cross-sectional design examined the associations of trauma history, cancer-specific distress, and HRQOL. Sample/Method Sixty lung cancer patients completed questionnaires on trauma history including the number and severity of traumatic events experienced. Cancer-specific distress, HRQOL, and depression were also reported. Findings As hypothesized, trauma history and cancer-specific distress were negatively associated with HRQOL (all r’s > −.27). Depression emerged as a confound in the association between cancer-specific distress and HRQOL. Conclusions Retrospectively-reported trauma was linked with poorer HRQOL in lung cancer patients. Implications Interventions aimed at improving lung cancer patients’ HRQOL should consider the possible role of trauma history (both frequency and distress).