Stigma and its correlates in people living with lung cancer: A cross-sectional study from China.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the level of stigma and identify the correlates of stigma among lung cancer patients in China. METHODS: In total, 283 lung cancer patients were recruited from a tertiary cancer center in China by the convenience sampling method and completed a demographic, disease-related information and situational characteristics questionnaire and self-reported measures assessing stigma, state self-esteem, and coping self-efficacy. RESULTS: The mean stigma score was moderate (2.38 ± 0.45). Stigma was significantly and negatively associated with state self-esteem (r = -0.607, P < .001) and coping self-efficacy (r = -0.424, P < .001). Multivariable linear regression showed that age, cancer stage, negative changes (ie, in financial burden, body image, and family relationship), cancer disclosure, perceived blame, state self-esteem, and coping self-efficacy accounted for 49.9% of the variance in stigma. CONCLUSIONS: Stigma is a widespread psychosocial phenomenon among patients with lung cancer in China. Health care policy-makers and professionals should pay more attention to this issue and take effective measures to address stigma among lung cancer patients by improving their state self-esteem and coping self-efficacy, encouraging cancer disclosure and providing support for adjusting to negative changes after diagnosis.

A Qualitative Study Exploring Coping Strategies in Chinese Families During Children's Hospitalization for Cancer Treatment.

PURPOSE: To explore how Chinese families cope with children's hospitalization for cancer treatment. DESIGN AND METHODS: A descriptive qualitative inquiry was employed. Semi-structured interview was conducted in four pediatric oncology departments in four hospitals from November 2017 to June 2018. The interviews focused on how families cope with the challenges resulting from their children's hospitalization for cancer treatment. Twenty one parents participated into the study. RESULTS: Four categories related to family coping strategies emerged from the data, including increasing family strength, maintaining optimistic thoughts, seeking external support, and not disclosing the unfavorable information. CONCLUSIONS: Families had adopted multiple coping strategies to handle the challenges caused by children's hospitalization for cancer treatment. The influences of Chinese culture on family coping should be taken into consideration during family-centered interventions development. Further studies could analyze whether the spouse perspectives are independent from one another and whether the coping strategies change as the time of hospitalization. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study has reminded nurses' to become more concerned about the influences of culture on families' coping strategies during this challenging period. Other nurses in the world could understand how to enhance family coping strategies of Chinese clients.

Psychosocial behaviour reactions, psychosocial needs, anxiety and depression among patients with rectal cancer before and after colostomy surgery: A longitudinal study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the differences in psychosocial behaviour reactions, psychosocial needs, anxiety and depression before and after colostomy surgery and to explore the predictors of psychosocial behaviour reactions. BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is increasing worldwide. Abdominoperineal resection accompanied by permanent colostomy can cause complicated psychosocial reactions and needs. However, colostomy patients' trajectories of psychosocial adjustment at different time points must be discussed. DESIGN: A longitudinal study. METHODS: Using a convenience sampling method, 67 patients planning to undergo colostomy surgery were recruited from a tertiary cancer centre in southern China from January 2013-January 2014. Data collection consisted of two phases, conducted 1-2 days before surgery and 1-2 days prior to discharge. The Ostomy Psychosocial Behaviour Reaction Questionnaire, the Ostomy Psychosocial Needs Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and a self-designed demographic questionnaire were used to collect data. STROBE guidelines were followed. RESULTS: The participants had a moderate level of psychosocial behaviour reactions, a deep and wide range of psychosocial needs and a high incidence of anxiety and depression before and after surgery. Anxiety before surgery was significantly higher than that after surgery. Psychosocial needs and anxiety were significant predictors of psychosocial behaviour reactions. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' anxiety was alleviated after surgery. The combination of ascertaining and meeting various psychosocial needs and managing negative emotions was helpful in alleviating patients' stress responses before and after surgery. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: An increased focus on the relationships among psychosocial behaviour reactions, psychosocial needs, anxiety and depression at different time points in colostomy patients is necessary for future research and practice.

Stigma and its influencing factors among Chinese patients with stoma.

BACKGROUND: Although stomas are necessary for disease treatment, they unavoidably affect patients' lives from physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and familial perspectives and contribute to feelings of embarrassment and shame. This study explored the current status and factors influencing stigma among Chinese patients with stoma. METHODS: A total of 209 patients with stoma at the stoma clinic of a tertiary cancer centre in Guangzhou, China, were recruited and investigated by using the Social Impact Scale, the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale, the State Self-Esteem Scale, and a demographic questionnaire. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify the factors influencing stigma. RESULTS: The mean Social Impact Scale score was 69.65 ± 13.18, which represents a moderate effect; specifically, 44% of the patients experienced high levels of stigma. Stoma patients with the following characteristics had high levels of stigma: young, low coping self-efficacy, low stoma acceptance by one's spouse or other family members, poor perceived body image, stool leakage, and no experience of participating in activities with other stoma patients. CONCLUSIONS: Medical staff members should pay more attention to stigma in stoma patients. Coping self-efficacy, family members' acceptance of the stoma, and participation in activities with other stoma patients are influencing factors that protect these patients against stigma, whereas body image loss and stool leakage place them at higher risk for stigma. Interventions aimed at improving protective factors and decreasing risk factors should be considered to reduce the level of stigma in patients with stoma.

Psychometric Properties of the Kessler 10 Scale in Chinese Parents of Children With Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) has been widely used in rating psychological distress in general and clinical populations. However, whether it can be used in parents of children with cancer is unknown. Still lacking is the evidence on its reliability and validity in culturally diverse groups. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to translate the K10 into Mandarin Chinese and test its psychometric properties (especially the factor structure) of the Chinese version (C-K10) in parents of children with cancer. METHODS: By convenience sampling, 2 samples of parents of children with cancer (sample I, n = 206, and sample II, n = 103) were surveyed in Guangzhou, China. Sample I completed the C-K10, and the internal consistency reliability and exploratory factor analysis of the C-K10 were estimated. Sample II completed the C-K10, the State Subscale of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale; confirmatory factor analysis and concurrent validity estimates were completed. RESULTS: The C-K10 demonstrated strong internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α = .93). Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a 2-factor structure (ie, anxiety and depression). The concurrent validity was moderate with Pearson correlations greater than 0.50 (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The C-K10 demonstrated very acceptable reliability and validity in screening psychological distress in Chinese parents of children with cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study provides evidence that the C-K10 is a valid tool that can be used in clinical settings to screen for psychological distress in Chinese parents of children with cancer.