Posttraumatic growth in cancer patients and its effect on patients' quality of life

Objective To investigate the relationship between the posttraumatic growth in cancer patients and patients' quality of life. Methods 123 cancer patients were measured with posttraumatic growth inventory (PTGI) and EORTC QLQ-C30. Means and standard deviations were used to describe the domain and the range change of posttraumatic growth. Correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted to explore the relationship between the patients' posttraumatic growth and their quality of life. Results 4 of 5 factors in PTGI showed significant positive change, including connection with others [(28.17±7.97) scores], new possibilities [(16.15±6.06) scores], personal strength [(15.42±4.69) scores], and appreciation of life [(11.51±3.80) scores], meanwhile, the spiritual change [(5.07±2.67) scores] had no significant growth. The sum of PTGI was related positively to the role function of the patients. New possibilities (r=0.193), personal strength (r=0.290) and appreciation of life (r=0.284) were correlated positively with global health status.Multiple regression analysis indicated that personal strength (β=0.373, t=3.66) and appreciation of life (β=0.322, t=2.99) could predict positively to global health status, however, relating to others predicted negatively to global health status (β=-0.396, t=-3.63). Conclusion Posttraumatic growth has been found in cancer patients, including some predicting factors of patients' quality of life, such as personal strength, life appreciation and relating to others. Key words: Neoplasms; Posttraumatic growth; Quality of life; Positive psychology