Abstract:
This study was conducted to measure the predictors of mental adjustment in adult cancer patients. A total of 70 cancer patients (malcs= 29. females= 41 ) suffering from either Leukaemia or Lymphoma and visiting the OPD of the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Can cer Hospital and Research Centre between January-June, 2002 inclusive were interviewed using the Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC ) scale (Watson. Greer. & Bliss. 1989). The MAC consists of five subscales: Fighting Spirit. Fatalism. Avoidance. Helplessness/I lopclessness and Anxious Preoccupation. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG- PS) Performance Status Scale was also used to look at the relationship between mental adjustment and performance levels of the patients. A series of multiple regression analyses showed less fighting spirit in women and poor patients. Those with better functioning level were found to be high in fighting spirit, whereas those with low levels of performance possessed greater fatalistic attitude. Education was a significant predictor of helplessness/hopelessness with less educated patients showing more helpless attitude. As compared to Western populations, the current sample showed significantly higher scores on Fighting Spirit and Anxious Preoccupation, whereas they obtained lower scores at Fatalism and Submissive Acceptance. Moreover, patients with higher adaptive adjustment reported better level of performance while maladaptive adjustment was correlated with poor performance. Given the importance of fighting spirit for positive functioning as well as the vulnerability of certain subgroups to develop certain maladaptive modes of adjustment, it is suggested that the counselors assist the susceptible ones in adopting more healthy and adaptive ways of coping with the disease.
Page(s):
4-27
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, Volume: 1, Issue: 1, Year: 2003