Testing hypotheses derived from the Roy Adaptation Model

This study investigated the role of perception and biopsychosocial adaptation in patients with cancer entering an aggressive cancer treatment program. The Roy adaptation model provided the framework from which hypotheses were derived and tested. The hypotheses proposed that physiological stimuli are translated by the cognator through perception that alters the biopsychosocial responses. Forty-five patients were tested as they entered into the chemotherapy program. The APACHE II was used to measure actual physiological status; the Symptom Distress Profile was used to measure subjects' perceived physiological discomfort, and the Sickness Impact Profile was used to measure subjects' perceived effect of the cancer on their psychosocial adaptation. The results supported the theoretical predictions that perception of symptoms is positively correlated with psychosocial adaptation and not with actual physiological status. In addition, perception of symptoms and psychosocial adaptation were correlated with survival at six months and not with actual physiological status. Discussion of findings addresses theoretical and practice issues.