Observational Study
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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 28, 2014; 20(48): 18439-18444
Published online Dec 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i48.18439
Assessment of the relationship between resilience and quality of life in patients with digestive cancer
Jun Tian, Jin-Sheng Hong
Jun Tian, Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, Fujian Province, China
Jin-Sheng Hong, Department of Radiotherapy, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350014, Fujian Province, China
Author contributions: Tian J and Hong JS contributed equally to this work; Tian J designed the research; Tian J and Hong JS performed the research; and Tian J wrote the paper.
Supported by Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81041066
Correspondence to: Jun Tian, Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Fujian Medical University, Jiaotong Road 88, Fuzhou 350004, Fujian Province, China. tianjunfjmu@126.com
Telephone: +86-591-22862023 Fax: +86-591-22862023
Received: April 30, 2014
Revised: June 19, 2014
Accepted: August 13, 2014
Published online: December 28, 2014
Processing time: 251 Days and 1.1 Hours
Abstract

AIM: To study the relationship between resilience and quality of life (QOL) in patients with digestive cancer.

METHODS: The resilience of patients was measured prior to treatment, and their psychological distress, fatigue status, and treatment side effects were assessed 3 wk after. Their QOL was measured after their treatment ended. A relationship model of these variables was constructed using path analysis.

RESULTS: Resilience explained 33.2% of the variance in psychological distress, 16.1% of the variance in fatigue, and 1.23% of the variance in side effects. The relationship between resilience and QOL was statistically significant (β = 0.119, t = 4.499, P < 0.001) when psychological distress, fatigue, and side effects were absent from the regression model, whereas the adjusted regression coefficient of resilience was not statistically significant (t = 1.562, P > 0.05) when these variables were added. Psychological distress, together with fatigue and side effects, could explain 52.40% of the variance in QOL (P < 0.05). Physiological distress accounted for 28.94% of the total effect on QOL, fatigue accounted for 33.72%, side effects accounted for 22.53%, and resilience accounted for 14.80%.

CONCLUSION: Resilience is not an independent predictor of QOL in patients with digestive cancer, but it is a main factor influencing psychological distress and side effects.

Keywords: Resilience; Psychological distress; Fatigue; Quality of life; Path analysis; Digestive cancer

Core tip: Resilience is an individual’s capacity to maintain their psychological and physical well-being in the face of adversity. Cancer is a disease causing severe psychological distress in patients. Exploring the association between resilience and quality of life (QOL) can help us understand the role of resilience in improving the QOL of cancer patients, as well as providing clinical staff with information on psychological intervention and psychological care programs for cancer patients. Our findings highlight the need to develop strategies that improve resilience in patients with digestive cancer.