Colorectal Cancer Surgery: Influence of Psychosocial Factors

Abstract

(1) Background: In the treatment of colorectal cancer, it is important to consider different psychosocial factors. Our first objective was to measure the levels of perceived stress in subjects diagnosed with colorectal cancer awaiting potentially curative surgery. Also, we aimed to analyse what coping styles these patients used, how they perceived their illness, and the subsequent influence of these factors on their levels of stress. (2) Methods: Stress, coping styles and illness perception were assessed in a sample of 107 patients. The instruments used were the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), the Stress Coping Questionnaire (SCQ) and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ-R). (3) Results: Patients using active coping styles have lower levels of perceived stress (p = 0.000; p = 0.002) than patients making use of passive coping styles (p = 0.000; p = 0.032; p = 0.001). A multi-linear regression model found that the perception of illness and the use of the negative approach coping style (p = 0.000; p = 0.001) influence an increase in perceived stress, and that a decrease in stress levels was influenced by the problem solving coping style (p = 0.001). (4) Conclusions: Based on our results, we recommend preventive interventions in care patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery.

Assessing the validity and reliability of the 10-item Persian version of the perceived stress scale in post-surgery patients

“…A situation is stressful when it is perceived by a person as threatening and uncontrollable and that person does not have the necessary resources to face the situation (12). Previous studies indicate that the statistics for anxiety and stress in patients undergoing surgery are significant (13)(14)(15)(16); therefore, assessment and appropriate interventions are needed (17)(18)(19)(20). The skills that an individual develops throughout their life, particularly cognitive and emotional skills that are acquired when individuals are facing stressful situations, play a crucial role in their ability to manage stress (21).…”

The Illness Perceptions and Coping Experiences of Patients with Colorectal Cancer and Their Spousal Caregivers: A Qualitative Study

“…IP reflects individual understandings and explanations about a current disease or current symptoms, including cognitive and emotional perceptions, based on preserved knowledge and disease experiences. The vital significance and influence of IP in psychological research in the rehabilitation of patients with malignancy has also been gradually recognized and explored in recent years [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ], including CRC [ 19 , 20 ].…”

“…The IPs of patients have verified prominent correlations with active coping [ 19 ], health behavior [ 18 , 21 ], and the QOL [ 22 , 23 ], as well as their caregivers [ 24 ]. For instance, a positive IP alleviated the perceived pressure and psychological burden to an extent, where the CPs more easily to constructed good expectations towards the subsequent treatment efficacy and became actively positive in coping with difficulty [ 19 ].…”

“…The IPs of patients have verified prominent correlations with active coping [ 19 ], health behavior [ 18 , 21 ], and the QOL [ 22 , 23 ], as well as their caregivers [ 24 ]. For instance, a positive IP alleviated the perceived pressure and psychological burden to an extent, where the CPs more easily to constructed good expectations towards the subsequent treatment efficacy and became actively positive in coping with difficulty [ 19 ]. The findings of a prospective observational study verified that helping patients control the perceived symptoms and enhancing their beliefs about the treatment that could control their disease have become potential methods to prevent long-lasting depression [ 25 ].…”