TY - JOUR
T1 - Hope and related variables in Italian cancer patients
AU - Vellone, Ercole
AU - Rega, Maria Luisa
AU - Galletti, Caterina
AU - Cohen, Marlene Z.
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2008 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2006/9
Y1 - 2006/9
N2 - Hope, long considered an essential element for life, has been shown to be important among cancer patients in coping, perceived control over the illness, and psychologic adjustment to the illness. The purpose of this study was (a) to describe the level of hope in Italian cancer patients; (b) to compare the levels of hope during and after hospitalization; (c) to determine whether hope was correlated with quality of life and several symptoms; and (d) to determine whether the variables from the international literature also pertain to Italian cancer patients. A descriptive correlational design using repeated measures was chosen to study 80 Italian cancer patients during hospitalization and then at home. The following instruments were used: a Sociodemographic Questionnaire, the Hope Related Variable Questionnaire, the Nowotny Hope Scale, the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Overall, patients were moderately hopeful and the level of hopefulness was similar in the hospital and at home. Hope was positively correlated with quality of life, self-esteem, coping, adjustment to the illness, well-being, comfort in the hospital, satisfaction with information received, relationship with, and support from family, healthcare professional, and friends. Hope was negatively correlated with anxiety, depression, and boredom during hospitalization. Time since diagnosis, illness stage, and knowing or not knowing the diagnosis and treatment were not correlated with hope. Similarities and differences with the international literature are discussed, and implications for caring for Italian cancer patients are drawn.
AB - Hope, long considered an essential element for life, has been shown to be important among cancer patients in coping, perceived control over the illness, and psychologic adjustment to the illness. The purpose of this study was (a) to describe the level of hope in Italian cancer patients; (b) to compare the levels of hope during and after hospitalization; (c) to determine whether hope was correlated with quality of life and several symptoms; and (d) to determine whether the variables from the international literature also pertain to Italian cancer patients. A descriptive correlational design using repeated measures was chosen to study 80 Italian cancer patients during hospitalization and then at home. The following instruments were used: a Sociodemographic Questionnaire, the Hope Related Variable Questionnaire, the Nowotny Hope Scale, the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Overall, patients were moderately hopeful and the level of hopefulness was similar in the hospital and at home. Hope was positively correlated with quality of life, self-esteem, coping, adjustment to the illness, well-being, comfort in the hospital, satisfaction with information received, relationship with, and support from family, healthcare professional, and friends. Hope was negatively correlated with anxiety, depression, and boredom during hospitalization. Time since diagnosis, illness stage, and knowing or not knowing the diagnosis and treatment were not correlated with hope. Similarities and differences with the international literature are discussed, and implications for caring for Italian cancer patients are drawn.
KW - Anxiety
KW - Boredom
KW - Comfort
KW - Depression
KW - Hope
KW - Italian cancer patients
KW - Leisure activities
KW - Quality of life
KW - Symptoms
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U2 - 10.1097/00002820-200609000-00002
DO - 10.1097/00002820-200609000-00002
M3 - Article
C2 - 17006108
AN - SCOPUS:33749244623
SN - 0162-220X
VL - 29
SP - 356
EP - 366
JO - Cancer Nursing
JF - Cancer Nursing
IS - 5
ER -