orals Inaugural Victorian Integrated Cancer Services Conference 2013

Relationship between Sense of Coherence and level of psychological distress and quality of life in Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) patients over time (#39)

Brindha Pillay 1 , Stuart J Lee 2 , Lynda Katona 3 , Sue De Bono 4 , Sue Burney 5
  1. Monash Universtiy, Clayton, VIC , Australia
  2. Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  3. Department of Psychology and Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  4. Patient and Family Services, Alfred Health, Melbourne , Victoria, Australia
  5. Cabrini Monash Psycho-oncology Unit, Cabrini Health, Malvern, Victoria, Australia

HSCT is a highly invasive procedure that is used to treat haematological cancers. Despite the well-documented physical and psychological consequences of transplant, there has been less focus on protective factors within patients that might promote better psychosocial functioning. The aim of the study was to examine the level of emotional distress and quality of life of patients prior to transplant, 2-3 weeks post-transplant (Time 2) and 3 months post-transplant (Time 3). A second aim was to determine if sense of coherence (SOC) is associated with level of psychosocial distress in patients undergoing HSCT. Participants completed measures of anxiety, depression and quality of life at three time-points. A SOC measure was completed at baseline. Interim analyses with a small sample (N = 34) indicated that level of depression increased significantly (p = .006) from baseline (M = 2.88; SD = 4.04) to Time 2 (M = 4.91; SD = 4.70), and remained elevated at 3 months post-transplant (M = 4.50; SD = 5.21). Anxiety level  remained fairly constant across the three time-points. There was a significant difference in quality of life over time (p < .001), with higher scores at baseline (M = 105.62) and at 3 months post-transplant (M = 103.13) than at 2-3 weeks post-transplant (M = 88.80). Correlational analyses indicated that SOC was significantly negatively associated with depression (p = .03) and anxiety (p = .001) at baseline. These relationships remained at Time 2 (p = .04). Significant positive associations between SOC and quality of life were also found at all time-points. These preliminary findings suggest that participants may be in particular need of psychosocial support at the 2-3 week post-transplant mark. Furthermore, sense of coherence may be an important protective factor in the psychological adjustment of HSCT patients.