Association between spirituality and health-related quality of life in head and neck cancer patients

Author(s)

Giselle Patrícia Guerrero

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2011-12-12

Examining board members

Namie Okino Sawada; Jair Licio Ferreira Santos; Marcia Maria Fontao Zago

• Advisor: Namie Okino Sawada

Abstract

The main goal of this study was to assess the association between religious-spiritual coping and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients in the preoperative phase of head and neck cancer surgery. A descriptive correlational and cross-sectional study was developed at a head and neck ward of a public hospital in the interior of São Paulo State, Brazil. The researcher held individual interviews after the patient\'s hospitalization in the preoperative phase. The following data collection instruments were used: structured script for sample characteristics; the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck (FACT-H&N), to assess the HRQoL in head and neck cancer patients; the Religious Spiritual Coping Scale (CRE), to assess coping and spirituality. The data were subject to quantitative analysis, using the principles of descriptive and inferential statistics. Research participants were 55 patients, predominantly male, with a mean age of 57.1 years. All participants believed in God and the majority considered they were Catholic (87.3%). Concerning religious-spiritual coping, the mean scores for the CRE Scale variables were satisfactory, as well as the FACT H&N variables. No statistically significant differences were found, though, between the mean scores of the Total CRE compared with age groups, gender and median scores for the FACT-H&N domains. Although a correlation can be deduced between the CRE and HRQoL constructs, we did not detect and association between the CRE and FACT H&N Scales. Nevertheless, a statistically significant difference was found between the groups with High and Medium total CRE on the CRE Scale and high and low scores in the FACT H&N domains, indicating that patients with high usage rates of religious-spiritual coping present better scores in the health-related quality of life domains. It is highlighted that this correlation does not imply cause and effect. Relations among spirituality, religiosity and their benefits for health remain complex, but this topic has received great attention in the scientific context. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/03591-4 - Association of the Spirituality in Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients with Cancer of Head and Neck
• Grantee: Giselle Patrícia Guerrero
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master