title: The influence of life stage on psychosocial adjustment in colorectal cancer patients.
abstract: The influence of life stage on psychosocial adjustment and on factors related to this adjustment was examined in post-operative colorectal cancer patients without stoma. PAIS-SR (Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self-Report) was used to assess psychosocial adjustment, and patients were divided into two groups; a senior group (age > 65 years, n = 34) and a non-senior group (age < 65 years, n = 59) based on cultural features in Japan. Results were compared between two groups for each of the following PAIS domains: "vocational environment," "domestic environment," "sexual relationship," "extended family environment," "social environment," and "psychological distress." Psychosocial adjustment was found to differ by life stage only for "psychological distress" (non-senior vs. senior: 48.6 +/- 9.4 vs. 44.7 +/- 7.7, p < .05). However, analysis of background factors related to psychosocial adjustment revealed distinct patterns in each life stage. This study suggests that life stage should be considered when attempts are made to improve the psychosocial adjustment among cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult Nursing/Terminal and Long-Term Care Nursing, School of Health Science and Nursing, Tokyo, Japan. nishigaki-tky@umin.ac.jp
authors.forename: Masakazu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nishigaki
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kazuma
authors.forename: Masatoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oya
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ueno
authors.forename: Masami
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arai
authors.forename: Toshiharu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Tetsuichiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Muto
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires