Abstract
This study examined the relationships among quality of life, optimism, coping, psychological morbidity and family stress, the predictors of quality of life as well as differences in these variables according to gender, type and duration of treatment, age and education level in patients with colorectal cancer. A sample of 100 patients undergoing chemotherapy participated in this study. Results showed that women, patients diagnosed in the past twelve months and those who underwent surgery/chemotherapy presented more psychological morbidity. Psychological morbidity was found to be a predictor of quality of life. Age and level of education showed to be relevant particularly regarding the use of coping strategies and quality of life.The results emphasize the need for interventions to focus on morbidity, optimism and take into account gender, duration of diagnosis and type of treatment in particular.
Keywords:
quality of life; optimism; coping; stress; cancer