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61 WELL-BEING, SOURCES OF STRESS AND COPING STRATEGIES IN A SAMPLE OF ONCOLOGISTS
Abstracts / Cancer Treatment Reviews 36S3 (2010) S95–S119
Emotional Exhaustion was present in the 50% of the sample for high levels and in the 50% of the sample for low levels; Depersonalization was present for high level (28.6%), medium level (21.4%) and low level (28.6%). Low Personal Accomplishment was present for high level (14.3%), low level (71.4%) and medium level (14.3%). Or: EE was positively correlated to Dep (p = 0.002). Conclusions: This survey describes the burnout symptoms as present both in Day Hospital and Department nurses. Feelings of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and low personal accomplishment were present in both the samples but not significant differences were found between DH and DEP nurses. This is an ongoing study, additional studies are needed to further explore burnout in oncology staff. 61 WELL-BEING, SOURCES OF STRESS AND COPING STRATEGIES IN A SAMPLE OF ONCOLOGISTS E. Foddai1,2 , F.P. Guadagna2 , V. Lo Cascio1 , G. Lionte3 , F. Pace1 , R. De Luca2 , A. Russo2 . 1 Psychology Department, University of Palermo, 2 Department of Surgery and Oncology, University of Palermo, 3 Intensive Care Unit, A.O.U.P., University of Modena, Italy Background: Several studies have highlighted that some professional categories, called: ‘helping professions’, appear, more than other professions, to be subjected to sources of stress and the connected risks of burn-out. In particular personnel working in oncology face potentially stressful situations and having to deal daily with the needs and concerns of the patients and their families. It is therefore necessary to understand the variables that can limit the impact of stress. This research seeks to explore the degree of personal well-being of the oncologists interviewed, taking into consideration some possible predictors, such as the age and specific trainings (i.e. in diagnosis communication, stress management, and so on). We connected this kind of predictors with the sources of stress typical to the medical profession, the coping strategies, the degree of work engagement and the perceived degree of organizational support. Methods: The research included 138 subjects (doctors that work in a range of oncological units in Italy). The subjects completed a self-report questionnaire with the aim of evaluating the perception of stress and coping strategies (Using the Health professions stress and coping scale), the degree of personal well-being (using the General Health Questionnaire) and the degree of work engagement (using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale); a purpose-built scale to measure the degree of perceived organizational support was also administered. Results: According to our expectations, age is not related to the stress and his possible sources, whereas the training shows high correlation levels with the total amount of stress (r = 0.35), some of the possible daily stressors (i.e. facing to death, r = 0.33). Conclusions: The results are comparable with other international research, but we would obviously need to have an extended sample to better understand the possible psychological protection factors of the helping professions. 62 THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS IN ONCOGENETIC COUNSELLING E. Foddai1,2 , F.P. Guadagna2 , G. Manna1 , F. Pace1 , R. De Luca2 , A. Russo2 . 1 Psychology Department, University of Palermo, 2 Department of Surgery and Oncology, University of Palermo, Italy Background: As result of the recent developments in DNA testing and the knowledge that cancer can be hereditary, it is now possible to offer genetic counselling to people within identified “cancer families”, and to inform them about their assumed increased risk for developing cancer. The aim of this study was to test the role of psychological aspect in oncogenetic counselling. The primary purpose of the research was to evaluate the difference between Anxiety Trait and Anxiety State in subjects going to oncogenetic counselling. The secondary aim was to explore the relationships between alexithymia, personality trait, coping style, psychological distress, in subjects attending genetic counselling for hereditary cancer.
S113
Methods: The questionnaires administered were: semi-structured interview, STAI, COPE, BFA, TAS 20, MHQ. In the first study, the group consisted of 65 subjects (56 females and 9 males; M = 42.3 years), while in the second study, they were 30 subjects (M = 40.4 years) completing the entire test battery of the oncogenetic counselling. Results: The results showed a weak but significant differences between Trait Anxiety and State Anxiety (t = 2.23; p < 0.05). It seems that for some subjects the particular conditions or oncogenetic counseling could cause more levels of anxiety. We think that the level of anxiety could diminish as result of a prolonged psychological support intervention, as suggested by the results of this research. With regard to the TAS 20, the results showed that 48.2% of subjects suffering from oncologic pathology obtained score ranging from 50 (borderline level) to greater than 60 (cut-off for Alexithymia). Conclusions: Our results indicate that the tendency to repress one’s emotions is associated to some general schemes of reaction to stress which, when used in a dysfunctional manner (such as the attempt to ignore how threatening an event), are maladaptive in the end. 63 A GROUP INTERVENTION IN CANCER INPATIENTS TROUGH MUSIC THERAPY F. Lagattolla1 , F. Romito1 , C. Cormio2 , F. Giuliani2 , R. Montanaro1 , C. D’Amico3 , V. Mattioli1 . 1 Department of Critical Area and Surgery, Experimental Unit of Psycho-Oncology, 2 Department of Medical Oncology, 3 Department of Woman, Breast Cancer and Gynecology Units, National Cancer Institute “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari, Italy. Background: In Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), Music Therapy (MT) can effectively improve physical and emotional well-being in cancer inpatients, with benefits in managing symptoms along the cancer journey. Anxiety is one of the more frequent symptoms associated with cancer and its treatments. This pilot study was drawn to evaluate 1) the effectiveness of the MT in controlling the medical procedures related anxiety and 2) the influence of MT on mood during hospitalization. Methods: The study was carried on breast cancer inpatients waiting for surgery, and on colorectal cancer inpatients at the first line of chemotherapy. They underwent a MT session, the day before the procedures, lasted each session, about 1.5 hour, with 5 patients per session who interacted through musical instruments and their voices. Anxiety was measured with the S.T.A.Y.- Y1, a questionnaire for state anxiety and mood was evaluated with a list of definition of state of mood. Results: 80 inpatients, 59 women and 20 men, ranging from 20 to 75 years (MD = 51) were enrolled. Findings showed a significant decrease of anxiety (p = 0.000) on the average of the responses measured by paired T test, with significant positive mood changes before and after MT: 92.5% of the “agitated” answers decreased to 7.5%; 69.3% of the “sad” answers decreased to 30.7%; 24% of the “ hopeful” answers increased to 76.3%. Conclusion: The results of this pilot study suggest that Music Therapy represents an helpful experience with an effective positive impact. This confirms that Music Therapy is a supportive intervention for controlling and reducing anxiety related to clinical procedures in cancer inpatients. The musical experience in interactive MT facilitates the non verbal communication of strong feelings and emotions beyond the words, so the MT might be integrated into a multidisciplinary approach in psycho-oncology. 64 WHAT ABOUT WORKING AFTER CANCER? F. Romito1 , C. Cormio2 , R. Montanaro1 , L. Caporusso2 , A. Mazzei2 , A. Misino2 , E. Naglieri2 , G. Colucci2 , V. Mattioli1 . 1 Department of Critical Area and Surgery, Experimental Unit of Psycho-Oncology, 2 Department of Medical Oncology. National Cancer Institute of Bari “Giovanni Palo II”, Italy Background: Cancer survivors are living longer after diagnosis, thanks to screening programs, increased early diagnosis and improvement in treatments. In Italy, the 5-year relative survival rate for all cancers has now reached 49.8% in men and 59.7% in women. This sheds light on a new scenario of all issues of returning to life, including work-related activities.
Emotional Exhaustion was present in the 50% of the sample for high levels and in the 50% of the sample for low levels; Depersonalization was present for high level (28.6%), medium level (21.4%) and low level (28.6%). Low Personal Accomplishment was present for high level (14.3%), low level (71.4%) and medium level (14.3%). Or: EE was positively correlated to Dep (p = 0.002). Conclusions: This survey describes the burnout symptoms as present both in Day Hospital and Department nurses. Feelings of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and low personal accomplishment were present in both the samples but not significant differences were found between DH and DEP nurses. This is an ongoing study, additional studies are needed to further explore burnout in oncology staff. 61 WELL-BEING, SOURCES OF STRESS AND COPING STRATEGIES IN A SAMPLE OF ONCOLOGISTS E. Foddai1,2 , F.P. Guadagna2 , V. Lo Cascio1 , G. Lionte3 , F. Pace1 , R. De Luca2 , A. Russo2 . 1 Psychology Department, University of Palermo, 2 Department of Surgery and Oncology, University of Palermo, 3 Intensive Care Unit, A.O.U.P., University of Modena, Italy Background: Several studies have highlighted that some professional categories, called: ‘helping professions’, appear, more than other professions, to be subjected to sources of stress and the connected risks of burn-out. In particular personnel working in oncology face potentially stressful situations and having to deal daily with the needs and concerns of the patients and their families. It is therefore necessary to understand the variables that can limit the impact of stress. This research seeks to explore the degree of personal well-being of the oncologists interviewed, taking into consideration some possible predictors, such as the age and specific trainings (i.e. in diagnosis communication, stress management, and so on). We connected this kind of predictors with the sources of stress typical to the medical profession, the coping strategies, the degree of work engagement and the perceived degree of organizational support. Methods: The research included 138 subjects (doctors that work in a range of oncological units in Italy). The subjects completed a self-report questionnaire with the aim of evaluating the perception of stress and coping strategies (Using the Health professions stress and coping scale), the degree of personal well-being (using the General Health Questionnaire) and the degree of work engagement (using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale); a purpose-built scale to measure the degree of perceived organizational support was also administered. Results: According to our expectations, age is not related to the stress and his possible sources, whereas the training shows high correlation levels with the total amount of stress (r = 0.35), some of the possible daily stressors (i.e. facing to death, r = 0.33). Conclusions: The results are comparable with other international research, but we would obviously need to have an extended sample to better understand the possible psychological protection factors of the helping professions. 62 THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS IN ONCOGENETIC COUNSELLING E. Foddai1,2 , F.P. Guadagna2 , G. Manna1 , F. Pace1 , R. De Luca2 , A. Russo2 . 1 Psychology Department, University of Palermo, 2 Department of Surgery and Oncology, University of Palermo, Italy Background: As result of the recent developments in DNA testing and the knowledge that cancer can be hereditary, it is now possible to offer genetic counselling to people within identified “cancer families”, and to inform them about their assumed increased risk for developing cancer. The aim of this study was to test the role of psychological aspect in oncogenetic counselling. The primary purpose of the research was to evaluate the difference between Anxiety Trait and Anxiety State in subjects going to oncogenetic counselling. The secondary aim was to explore the relationships between alexithymia, personality trait, coping style, psychological distress, in subjects attending genetic counselling for hereditary cancer.
S113
Methods: The questionnaires administered were: semi-structured interview, STAI, COPE, BFA, TAS 20, MHQ. In the first study, the group consisted of 65 subjects (56 females and 9 males; M = 42.3 years), while in the second study, they were 30 subjects (M = 40.4 years) completing the entire test battery of the oncogenetic counselling. Results: The results showed a weak but significant differences between Trait Anxiety and State Anxiety (t = 2.23; p < 0.05). It seems that for some subjects the particular conditions or oncogenetic counseling could cause more levels of anxiety. We think that the level of anxiety could diminish as result of a prolonged psychological support intervention, as suggested by the results of this research. With regard to the TAS 20, the results showed that 48.2% of subjects suffering from oncologic pathology obtained score ranging from 50 (borderline level) to greater than 60 (cut-off for Alexithymia). Conclusions: Our results indicate that the tendency to repress one’s emotions is associated to some general schemes of reaction to stress which, when used in a dysfunctional manner (such as the attempt to ignore how threatening an event), are maladaptive in the end. 63 A GROUP INTERVENTION IN CANCER INPATIENTS TROUGH MUSIC THERAPY F. Lagattolla1 , F. Romito1 , C. Cormio2 , F. Giuliani2 , R. Montanaro1 , C. D’Amico3 , V. Mattioli1 . 1 Department of Critical Area and Surgery, Experimental Unit of Psycho-Oncology, 2 Department of Medical Oncology, 3 Department of Woman, Breast Cancer and Gynecology Units, National Cancer Institute “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari, Italy. Background: In Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), Music Therapy (MT) can effectively improve physical and emotional well-being in cancer inpatients, with benefits in managing symptoms along the cancer journey. Anxiety is one of the more frequent symptoms associated with cancer and its treatments. This pilot study was drawn to evaluate 1) the effectiveness of the MT in controlling the medical procedures related anxiety and 2) the influence of MT on mood during hospitalization. Methods: The study was carried on breast cancer inpatients waiting for surgery, and on colorectal cancer inpatients at the first line of chemotherapy. They underwent a MT session, the day before the procedures, lasted each session, about 1.5 hour, with 5 patients per session who interacted through musical instruments and their voices. Anxiety was measured with the S.T.A.Y.- Y1, a questionnaire for state anxiety and mood was evaluated with a list of definition of state of mood. Results: 80 inpatients, 59 women and 20 men, ranging from 20 to 75 years (MD = 51) were enrolled. Findings showed a significant decrease of anxiety (p = 0.000) on the average of the responses measured by paired T test, with significant positive mood changes before and after MT: 92.5% of the “agitated” answers decreased to 7.5%; 69.3% of the “sad” answers decreased to 30.7%; 24% of the “ hopeful” answers increased to 76.3%. Conclusion: The results of this pilot study suggest that Music Therapy represents an helpful experience with an effective positive impact. This confirms that Music Therapy is a supportive intervention for controlling and reducing anxiety related to clinical procedures in cancer inpatients. The musical experience in interactive MT facilitates the non verbal communication of strong feelings and emotions beyond the words, so the MT might be integrated into a multidisciplinary approach in psycho-oncology. 64 WHAT ABOUT WORKING AFTER CANCER? F. Romito1 , C. Cormio2 , R. Montanaro1 , L. Caporusso2 , A. Mazzei2 , A. Misino2 , E. Naglieri2 , G. Colucci2 , V. Mattioli1 . 1 Department of Critical Area and Surgery, Experimental Unit of Psycho-Oncology, 2 Department of Medical Oncology. National Cancer Institute of Bari “Giovanni Palo II”, Italy Background: Cancer survivors are living longer after diagnosis, thanks to screening programs, increased early diagnosis and improvement in treatments. In Italy, the 5-year relative survival rate for all cancers has now reached 49.8% in men and 59.7% in women. This sheds light on a new scenario of all issues of returning to life, including work-related activities.