Emotional distress in men with life-threatening illness.
This descriptive survey explored the relationship of health status, functional status, stressful life events, stress resistance resources and emotional distress in 60 men with life-threatening illness (N = 30 with cancer and N = 30 with AIDS). Sixty-two percent met CES-D criteria for clinical depression. This study's results supported the hypotheses that poorer functional status and greater negative stressors are associated with both higher levels of hopelessness and depression. Twenty-four patients constituted a group with severe emotional distress. This group was significantly different from the less vulnerable group with poorer functional status (KPS), a greater number and severity of negative stressors, less satisfaction with social support, and less hopefulness.
van Servellen
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UCLA School of Nursing 90095-6917, USA.
Sarna
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L
Padilla
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G
Brecht
M L
ML
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D016015:Logistic Models; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009013:Morale; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support