Relationships among Mood Status, Social Support, Symptom Experience and Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Patients - based on the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms

Factors influencing the health-related quality of life in Korean menopausal women: a cross-sectional study based on the theory of unpleasant symptoms

Purpose

Based on the theory of unpleasant symptoms (TOUS), this study aimed to examine the direct effect of antecedent factors on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its indirect effect via symptoms in Korean women during the late menopausal transition (MT) and early postmenopause.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey employed a descriptive correlational research design. The respondents were 152 middle-aged women 40 to 60 years with an intermenstrual interval of 60 days or more (late MT) or less than 5 years from the last menstrual period (early postmenopause). The respondents were recruited through convenience sampling in Busan, Korea, from December 1, 2020, to January 31, 2021. Based on the TOUS, self-report data were collected on perceived health status, psychological distress, social support, menopausal symptoms, and HRQoL. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statics, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and the Hayes’ PROCESS macro.

Results

TOUS was supported on this sample (n=152) of Korean women during the late MT and early postmenopause. Perceived health status, psychological distress, and social support had significant direct relationships with HRQoL. Menopausal symptoms had significant indirect relationships between antecedent factors (perceived health status, psychological distress, and social support) and partially mediated HRQoL.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate that menopausal symptoms play an important role as an intervening factor of HRQoL in women during the late MT and early postmenopause. Therefore, women need an integrated program that manages antecedent factors and menopausal symptoms to improve HRQoL in these menopausal stages.

Quality of Life Structural Equation Model for Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to propose and test a quality of life model among Korean patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using structural equation modeling.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was performed.

METHODS

Data from 184 patients with ALS were collected from two university hospitals in Seoul and Busan, South Korea, between June and December 2018.

FINDINGS

The modified model indices indicated adequate data fit. Quality of life predictors were social support, physical functional status, depression, and general health perception.

CONCLUSION

This study improved the understanding of quality of life for Korean patients with ALS, including complex direct and indirect relationships among quality of life factors.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Depression was identified as the most influential factor in this population; hence, early assessment and timely intervention for depression are essential for better quality of life in patients with ALS.