ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression are common emotional distresses experienced by women during gynecologic cancer treatment. These often have dangerous effects on physical and mental health and may impact quality of life (QoL). PURPOSE: To investigate the factors influencing anxiety, depression, social support, and QoL in women with gynecologic cancer. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional correlational study. A total of 111 women with gynecologic cancer receiving treatment at a medical center in central Taiwan were selected as subjects using convenience sampling. A demographic characteristics questionnaire, the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief-Taiwan version (WHOQOL-BREF-Taiwan version) questionnaire, the International Support Evaluation List (ISEL), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used for data collection. RESULTS: Of the 111 subjects, 41.4% and 24.3% had tendencies for anxiety and depression, respectively, and a moderate QoL score (mean = 3.46; SD = 0.73). The physical health domain had the highest mean QoL score (14.93; SD = 2.24), followed by environmental health (14.76; SD = 1.97), social relationships (14.13; SD = 2.33), and psychological health (13.92; SD = 2.44). Anxiety, depression, marital status, and social support respectively explained 18.5%-37.0% of the total variation in QoL scores. Of the four QoL domains examined in this study, anxiety was the most significant predictor of QoL. CONCLUSIONS / IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: It is recommended that healthcare professionals strengthen the early assessment of anxiety, depression, and social support in women with gynecologic cancer. In addition, sensitivity towards emotional status should be increased in these cases. Healthcare professionals should provide care, support, and timely completion of referrals. Finally, psychological and social support and related interventions should be provided based on patient needs in order to maintain QoL.
