Author/Authors :
Heidarzadeh، Mehdi نويسنده School of Nursing and and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , , Rassouli، Maryam نويسنده School of Nursing and and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , , Mohammadi Shahbolaghi، Farahnaz نويسنده Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran , , Alavi Majd، Hamid نويسنده Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences , , Karam، Aman-Mohamad نويسنده Mehregan Hospital, Tehran, Iran , , Mirzaee، Hamidreza نويسنده Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , , Tahmasebi، Mamak نويسنده Cancer Institute of Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,
Abstract :
Background: Physical and psychological stresses produced by diagnosis and
treatment of cancer can lead to positive psychological changes or posttraumatic
growth. The aim of current study is to assess posttraumatic growth and its dimensions
in Iranian patients with cancer, and the impact of demographic characteristics on
posttraumatic growth.
Methods: This was a descriptive study on 452 patients with cancer who referred
to the oncology wards of two main hospitals in Tehran, Iran. The instruments were the
Demographic Characteristics Scale and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. SPSS
version 15 was used to analyze the data.
Results: The mean age of participants was 46.2±14.2 years, 59% were female and
39% had metastatic cancer. The mean PTGI score of the participants was 68.6±14.6.
The most acquired percentage of score was for "spiritual changes" and "communication
with others". Age, educational status, income, and type of cancer had significant
correlation with posttraumatic growth score.
Conclusion: The findings of the current study indicated that the score of posttraumatic
growth in Iranian patients with cancer was higher than in patients of Western societies.
The most improvement was seen in the "spiritual changes" dimension.
