Effects of Telephone Counseling Support on Distress, Anxiety, Depression, and Adverse Events in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

PURPOSE: This study is aimed at identifying the effects of telephone counseling as nursing support on distress, anxiety, depression, and adverse events in cancer patients undergoing their first chemotherapy. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial (pretest-posttest design). A total of 70 patients who showed 4 or higher distress scores were selected from the screening process. Four patients dropped out; therefore, 66 patients participated in this research. Thirty-two and 34 patients were randomly assigned to the experimental and the control group, respectively. After a preliminary survey, telephone counseling support was given to the experimental group at three time points. The post survey was done before the second cycle of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Regarding distress, both groups showed a statistically significant decrease in the scores: 3.4 for the experimental group and 1.8 for the control group (p=.002). Furthermore, the experimental group demonstrated a statistically significant decrease relative to the control group. Anxiety and depression showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that nursing support through phone counseling is effective in decreasing distress in patients undergoing chemotherapy for the first time.

The Effects of a Depression Intervention and Suicide Prevention Program in Adolescents with High Risk of Suicide

PURPOSE: This study was to examine the effects of a depression intervention and suicide prevention program in adolescents with high risk of suicide. METHODS: This research was designed as a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest study. The participants were adolescents with high risk of suicide in mental health screening examination. A total of 40 adolescents (experimental group=21, control group=19) were sampled from C-gun, Chungbuk Province. The experimental group participated in the depression intervention and suicide prevention program for eight sessions while the control group did not participate in the program. Data were collected with a self-reporting structured questionnaire from November to December, 2008. SPSS/Win 12.0 was used for data analyses including chi-square test, t-test, and paired t-test. RESULTS: After this program, there was no statistically significant difference in depression (t=1.498, p=.142) between the two groups, but depression decreased in the experimental group. There was a statistically significant difference in suicide ideation (t=2.058, p=.047). CONCLUSION: To decrease depression and suicide ideation in adolescents with high risk of suicide, it is necessary to offer this program in a more intensive course and for a longer period. Also, family consultation programs and individual case treatment and consultation programs should be offered.

Factors Influencing Suicide Ideation among Adolescents

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify variables influencing suicide ideation among adolescents. METHODS: Data were collected from 235 middle school students in Chungbuk Province from April to September 2007. We used the Korean versions of Reynold's Suicide Ideation Questionnaire, Children's Depression Inventory and Conners-Wells' Adolescent Scale, Beck's Hopelessness Scale and Internet Addiction Scale-K for measuring the research variables. RESULTS: Of the subjects, 23.0% were classified into the risk group of suicide ideation. Overall, the score of the suicide ideation scale was 14.25 (+/-16.38). The score of the suicide ideation scale in female adolescents (17.45+/-19.04) was significantly higher than that in male ones (11.17+/-12.65). Depression was a major predictor of suicide ideation. ADHD, gender, internet addiction, and hopelessness were the other significant predictors of suicide ideation. CONCLUSION: A strategy for school mental health education should be provided in order to prevent suicide ideation. The function of school health and Mental Health Center should be reinforced in terms of organization and staff personnel.