Coping Styles of Patients on the Liver Transplant Waiting List

Abstract Introduction Chronic end-stage liver disease is a difficult situation for the patient. Objective The objective of this study was to analyze the disease coping styles of patients on the liver transplant waiting list. Materials and Methods The study included 50 patients on the liver transplant waiting list. The instrument used was the Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Ferrero, 94). Coping scales were as follows: fighting spirit, hopelessness, anxious preoccupation, fatalism, and negation. Results Only 6% of subjects adapted well, whereas 94% adapted badly: 89% poor fighting spirit, 32% hopelessness, 50% anxious preoccupation, 28% fatalism, and 30% negation. Of those who had a poor fighting spirit, 88% also used another type of maladaptive style. The associated statements were ( P P P P Conclusions Patients on the liver transplant waiting list were maladaptive to their disease. It is important to establish adequate psychological care for these patients, given the important repercussions in the posttransplantation phase.