The coping strategies of hospice patients with life-threatening illnesses

Caddell, Clare M. (2004) The coping strategies of hospice patients with life-threatening illnesses. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The principal research aim was to investigate whether spirituality played a role in the coping strategies of patients (N = 120) undergoing palliative care over a six month period within 2 specialised hospice units (Hospices A & B). Using an adapted version of the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (Cohen et al, 1995), the self-assessed scores of "Believing & Practising Church Members" (BPCM), "Believers but Non-practising Church Members" (B-NPCM) and "Non-Believers" (NBNP) were compared in an attempt to determine "Quality of Life" (QOL) differences between each hospice. Two-way Between Groups ANOVA results indicated significant main effects for all 5 McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire-Scottish Version (MQOL-SV) hypotheses, 2 of which were qualified by significant interaction effects. One-way ANOVA results indicated that although BPCM & B-NPCM in Hospice A attained higher score levels than NBNP patients, all 5 hypotheses were statistically non-significant. For Hospice B however, 4 of the 5 hypotheses achieved statistically significant results. Findings implied that QOL assessments for BPCM & B-NPCM in Hospice B were attained because of the influence and "bolstering effect" caused by spirituality and holistically centred policy programmes operating within that hospice. Overall MQOL-SV findings suggested that the existence or non-existence of spirituality based hospice policies affected the QOL of 5 of the 6 groups involved in the "Patient Research" study. A secondary aim was to determine whether staff with "High", "spirituality measurement scores" (SMS) were more favourable towards the introduction / maintenance of spirituality issues within hospice policy programmes than staff with "Low" SMS. The study also investigated staff depression concerning occupational duties and overall QOL levels. Staff (N = 100) completed a "Staff Questionnaire" (CPCD, Caddell, 2002). Two-way Between-Groups ANOVA tests indicated non-significant results for all 4 hypotheses intimating that staff with Low SMS were as favourable as staff with High SMS towards spirituality policies within all hospices. Findings also suggested however, that Hospice B staff with "High" SMS experienced higher emotional upset regarding occupational duties than the same staff grouping within Hospice A.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Medicine, clinical psychology, spirituality.
• Colleges/Schools: College of Social Sciences
• Supervisor's Name: Scobie, Dr. Geoff
• Date of Award: 2004
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2004-73727
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• Last Modified: 05 Aug 2022 14:05
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.73727
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/73727