Sense of coherence as a protective factor for demoralisation in women with a recent diagnosis of gynaecological cancer.
BACKGROUND
Demoralisation is a dysphoric mood state commonly seen in the medically ill. Its core features comprise hopelessness, helplessness, loss of purpose and meaning, despair, and existential distress. Sense of Coherence (SOC) is a quantifiable dispositional orientation that captures the character traits likely to protect against demoralisation. In this study, we hypothesised on theoretical grounds that a strong SOC would be associated with lower levels of demoralisation in the context of gynaecological cancer (GC).


METHODS
One hundred and twenty women with a recent (<12 months) diagnosis of GC were recruited from outpatient clinics. Participants were interviewed and completed questionnaire measures of demoralisation and SOC. A multiple regression analysis was performed using the five subscales of the Demoralisation Scale as predictor variables and SOC as the dependent variable.


RESULTS
Together, the five subscales of the Demoralisation Scale accounted for 60% of the variance in SOC.


CONCLUSIONS
The results supported the hypothesis, suggesting that SOC may be protective against demoralisation in the context of serious illness. Larger, multivariate studies that examine additional variables (such as coping) would be required to further clarify the relationship between SOC and demoralisation. In the meantime, clinicians may want to consider efforts to enhance SOC in patients.
Boscaglia
Nadia
N
Department of Psychological Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Nadia.Boscaglia@med.monash.edu.au
Clarke
David M
DM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors