Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients with Cancer and the Relation with Traumatic Events, Difficulty in Emotion Regulation, and Social Support

Year 2024, Volume: 5 Issue: 2, 73 - 83, 30.05.2024

Ebru Karcı , Özcan Sönmez , Alper Çağrı Karcı , Eser Sağaltıcı , Meyha Sahin

https://doi.org/10.56766/ntms.1424151

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to investigate the psychological effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in cancer patients and its relationship with traumatic events, difficulty in emotion regulation and social support during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted with 149 patients diagnosed with cancer. Patients were assessed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PTSDCL), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale for DSM-5 (DASS-21), Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACE), Stressful Life Events Inquiry List, Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Supports(MSPSS).
Results: 92 (61.7%) of the 149 participants were female and 118 (79.2%) were married. The median age was 51 years. 66 (%44.3) experienced moderate-to-severe distress on any or more of the DASS-21 scales. High DERS-Goals levels (p<0.001) and SELP scores (p=0.004) predicted high PTSD severity. High DERS-Strategies (p=0.008), DERS-Goals (p=0.007) and ACE (p=0.009) scores predicted high depression severity. High COURSE-Goals scores (p<0.001) and low MSPSS-Family scores (p=0.038) predicted high anxiety. Goals (p<0.001) and DERS-Clarity (p=0.033) scores predicted high stress severity.
Conclusion: Childhood adversities, emotion regulation difficulties, and social support especially from the families should be considered for the patients with cancer during the pandemic to prevent them from negative outcomes.

Keywords

Covıd, cancer, trauma

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