ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the social support and the quality of life of colorectal patients with permanent colostomy,and to examine the stability and change of the social support and the quality of life during the post-operative recovery period.Methods A convenience sample of 30 colorectal patients with permanent colostomy were recruited initially.19 completed the follow-up interview 3 months later.Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) and the Quality of Life Instrument for Cancer Patients(QLICP) were used to measure the social support and the quality of life.Results The dimensions of SSRS were on decline during 3 months after surgery.The scores of the physical and psychological domains of QLICP increased and the scores of the social,general and specific domains decreased but not significantly during the 3 months after surgery.The scores of specific domain were negatively correlated with the scores of utilization degree of social support,as well as the correlation of scores of specific domain and the total scores of social support.Conclusions The enterostomal therapist should pay attention to the change regulation and relationship between social support and life quality of patients with permanent colostomy,and provide them with physical,psychological,psychiatric and social support according to their demands in order to promote their recovery.