Research On Symptoms Of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder And Stress-related Factors In Patients With Malignant Tumor

Object:Malignant tumor is a life-threatening traumatic life event that puts patients under enormous psychological pressure, and is liable to cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim of this research is to investigate symptom characteristics and comorbidities of PTSD in patients with malignant tumor, to investigate the influence factors on the symptoms of PTSD, to analyze relationships between PTSD and coping style, social support and personality features, and to make further analysis on the effects of PTSD. More efficient and specific psychological intervention on PTSD of patients with malignant tumor is expected based on this research.Methods:215 patients with malignant tumor were surveyed with homemade general questionnaires and following questionnaires in order to find out PTSD symptoms, state of psychological health and relevant stress factors of PTSD.1. Medical Coping Modes Questionnaires (MCMQ) to evaluate coping styles of patients. 2. Social Support Rating Scales (SSRC) to evaluate external resources available to patients.3. Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised, Short scale for Chinese (EPQ-RSC) to evaluate patients'unique and stable behavior styles and thinking modes.4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Self-rating Scale (PTSD-SS) to evaluate patients' psychological symptoms including repeated flashback, hyper-vigilance and avoidance symptoms etc..5. Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) to evaluate patients'psychological health state.Frequency analysis, correlation analysis (Pearson correlation coefficient) and multiple linear regression were done with SPSS 15.0 statistical software after data were input. The significant level was a=0.05. LISREL8.7 was adopted to conduct analysis of structural equation model.Results:1. In patients with malignant tumor a total score of 50 of PTSD was regarded as mildly abnormal and 60 as moderately & severely abnormal. Mild abnormality accounted for 30.5% while moderate & severe abnormality accounted for 24.7%.2. The total scores of PTSD and different dimensions had some correlations with total social support score, objective support, utilization of support and nervousness (P<0.05).3. Regression analysis showed that only nervousness entered the regression equation eventually, which accounted for 27.4% of the dependent variable.4. Structural equation model indicated that nervousness and social support significantly affected symptoms of PTSD. The standardized path coefficient reached 0.502, and that of social support was 0.148.5. PTSD symptoms in patients with malignant tumor correlated with somatization, obsessive-compulsive, depression and paranoid ideation in the self rating scale (P<0.05). Conclusions:1. Patients with malignant tumor show many symptoms of PTSD and almost 1/3 of them assumed moderate & severe abnormality, which should be taken as a serious clinical problem.2. Social support exerts a buffer effect to PTSD symptoms of patients with malignant tumor, in which objective support and utilization of support are key factors.3. Personal characteristic and social support significantly predict PTSD symptoms of patients with malignant tumor, and nervousness (sensitiveness, moodiness, tendency of anxiety and depression) is a predisposing factor.4. Personality characteristic is a core element that predicts PTSD symptoms of patients with malignant tumor, through which social support and coping style take effect.5. PTSD symptoms are usually associated with multiple psychological problems in patients with malignant tumor.