Factors affecting psychological adjustment of oncology patients at different cancer welfare societies in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background and objective: Cancer induces more psychological pressure than any other illness in humans, and produces various physical, psychological, social, economic, and family issues. There are many factors associated with adjustment in cancer patients. Various cancer therapies can complicate and affect patient’s adjustment to the disease. Study aim: To assess factors affecting psychological disease adjustment of oncology patients at different cancer societies in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A quantitative cross sectional correlational research design was utilized to conducted the study among cancer patients at different cancer welfare societies in regions of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Two electronic questionnaires were used to collect data including Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) Scale, and Factors affecting patient’s adjustment to cancer disease questionnaire. Data were tabulated in MS Excel and all data analyses were carried out using SPSS version 26.

Results: 374 cancer patients most common age group from them was 18-29 years old (31.3%) with more than a half were females (53.2%) and nearly all (89.6%) were Saudis. In terms of mental adjustment, female gender and low income had a negative impact on worried preoccupation, whereas regular exercise, listening to music, having a family history of cancer, and having friends with cancer had a beneficial impact. Non-Saudis had a higher fighting spirit than Saudis, while those with a decent income and regular exercise had a lower fighting spirit. Fatalism also had a strong impact on patients who were less educated or had a family history of cancer.

Conclusions: The overall mental adjustment of cancer patients had been affected by the regular exercise and similar illness among their friends but non-Saudis demonstrated better coping strategies than Saudi patients. The researchers recommend that health care providers encourage the patient to express feeling and to perform regular exercise to decrease the level of anxiety and enhance mood.