PREDICTIVE FACTORS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS IN AMBULATORY LUNG-CANCER PATIENTS

Although there is a need for systematic research on the psychosocial i ssues faced by lung cancer patients. there have been few studies in th is area. The objective of the present study was to investigate potenti al predictors of psychological distress among ambulatory lung cancer p atients. The variables examined included the patients characteristics, coping responses. and social support factors, Lung cancer patients co mpleted the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and the Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale (MAC scale). and information pertaining to demographic v ariables and social support factors was obtained from them at a struct ured interview. Evaluable data were obtained from 87 patients. The res ults of multiple regression analysis indicated that female gender, liv ing alone, no children in the role of confidant, nurses as confidants, and helplessness/hopelessness as a coping style were predictive for p sychological distress. Information on patients' demographic variables and psychosocial correlates of psychological distress may later be use ful in developing interventions to facilitate their adjustment to lung cancer.