title: Problem-solving counselling or phone-call support for outpatients with chronic illness: effective for whom?
abstract: The purpose of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to determine the effectiveness of problem-solving counselling or phone-call support provided by nurses to outpatients not well adjusted to chronic illness. Subjects (N = 293) completed measures at baseline and after the six-month period of intervention for psychosocial variables including coping behaviours, purpose in life, and psychosocial adjustment to illness. Subjects receiving phone-call support from nurses demonstrated less psychological distress. Results also suggest that problem-solving counselling improves psychosocial adjustment to chronic illness for outpatients who live alone, infrequently use problem-solving coping skills, or frequently use avoidance coping methods. As well, outpatients with a low purpose in life who show infrequent use of problem-solving coping skills appear to benefit most from problem-solving counselling provided by nurses. On the other hand, those not well adjusted who frequently use problem-solving coping seem to be served more effectively by phone-call support.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Streiner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gafni
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pallister
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hoxby
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drummond-Young
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: LeGris
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meichenbaum
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011340:Problem Solving; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires