Date of Award
2009
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Supervisor
Dr. Philip Doyle
Abstract
Introduction: This study investigated the impact o f head and neck cancer on distress and
quality o f life (QoL). Method: Participants were 37 adults (28 men, 9 women) who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer within the last 12 months. Measurement instruments included: (1) the Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI-18), (2) the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) general QoL questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ-C30), (3) the EORTC Head and Neck module (EORTC-QLQ-H&N35), and (4) a brief demographic survey. Results: A significant inverse relationship was detected between QoL and distress suggesting that as level of distress increases, perceived QoL deteriorates. Conclusion: The BSI-18 was found to be an efficient and effective measure o f distress. Based on data obtained, distress remains a pervasive problem for individuals with head and neck cancer and affects both global and specific domains of QoL. As a result, routine distress-screening programs may assist in identifying and responding to problematic distress
Recommended Citation
Bornbaum, Catherine C., "A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISTRESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH HEAD AND NECK CANCER" (2009). Digitized Theses. 3792.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/3792