Post-Traumatic Growth Characteristics and Influencing Factors in Japanese Patients with Postoperative Head and Neck...

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) refers to the positive changes experienced after a serious life crisis or traumatic event. However, studies on PTG in patients with head and neck cancer in Japan remain limited. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the characteristics of PTG and its influencing factors in Japanese patients with head and neck cancer who underwent surgery.

This study was conducted using a cross-sectional research design with self-administered questionnaires. The study included 76 adult patients with head and neck cancer who were being treated at a university hospital in a regional city in Japan, and who had undergone surgery between 6 months and 10 years previously. The questionnaire included the Japanese version of the PTGI-J, degree of psychological shock, coping strategies, and level of social support. Data analysis involved univariate and multivariate analyses, with PTGI-J scores as dependent variables.

The average total score on the PTGI-J among patients with postoperative head and neck cancer was 50.2 (standard deviation = 17.2). Multiple regression analysis indicated that living with children and emotion-focused coping were significant predictors of increased PTGI-J scores. Emotion-focused coping showed the strongest positive correlation with the PTGI-J total score and all subscales.

Among Japanese patients following head and neck cancer surgery, emotion-focused coping and living with family members, particularly children, were suggested to play a significant role in promoting PTG.

As an intervention to promote PTG, it is important for nurses and other healthcare staff to provide supportive engagement that helps patients express and control their emotions. Furthermore, while providing appropriate information, it is necessary to strengthen relationships with the child-centered family and primary support system.