The correlation of demoralization syndrome and psycho-physiological statein liver cancer patients

Abstract

Objective To examine the impact of liver cancer patients′ depression, anxiety, psychological distress on demoralization. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 116 liver cancer patients using Demoralization Scale-Mandarin Version, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Herth Hope Index, Distress Thermometer. Results The average score of demoralization was 33.22±14.85. Analysis of variance showed that the demoralization syndrome′s difference caused by degree of working state, monthly incomewas significant(F=3.795-4.147, P<0.05), correlation analysis showed that patients′ demoralization was positively correlated with depression,anxiety, psychological pain,the problems encountered,and negatively correlated with the level of hope(r=0.344-0.601, P<0.01). Multiple regression analysis indicated that working state,depression and hope level explained 50.0% of the total variance of liver cancer patients′ demoralization. Conclusions Patients with liver cancer have higher levels of demoralization, psycho-physiological symptom can predict it, and the nurses should pay more attention to patients with demoralization. Key words: Liver neoplasms; Anxiety; Depression; Demoralization syndrome; Hope; Psychological distress