Different Sources of Dignity-Related Distress in Women Receiving Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Nursing and Midwifery School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.

2 Medical Ethics and Law Research Center, Medical Surgical Department, Nursing and Midwifery School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

3 Department of Nursing Management, Nursing and Midwifery School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

4 School of Health, Safety and Environment Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

5 School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran.

6 Department of Epidemiology and Reproductive Health, Reproductive Epidemiology Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

 
Background: Identification of different sources of dignity-related distress experienced by people nearing the end of life may help nurses to provide better care services. This study was conducted to determine sources of dignity-related distress from the perspective of women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, the participants comprised 207 women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in chemotherapy clinics in hospitals of Tehran, Iran. The Cronbach’s coefficient alpha for the PDI was 0.76. Validity of PDI by confirmatory factor analysis shows that the comparative Fit Index of this instrument is 0.96 and so it is appropriate for application in different setting. Data were analyzed by Stata version 13. Results: Patients were mostly concerned about the distress caused by disease symptoms (mean; 2.4061, S.D.; 0.96), followed by existential distress (mean; 1.8784, S.D.; 0.75), peace of mind (mean; 1.871, S.D.; 0.77), dependence (mean; 1.8647, S.D.; 0.98), and social support (mean; 1.4097, S.D.; 0.99), respectively, in order of highest scores. Conclusion: Considering that the patients were mostly concerned about the distress caused by disease symptoms, followed by existential distress, peace of mind, dependency, and social support, it seems necessary to take further measures toward addressing these issues.

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