Patterns of psychological disturbance among leukemia patients and their relatives
Petal, M.J.; Sinha, B.K.; Shah, P.M.; Vankar, G.K.; Parikh, B.J.
Indian Journal of Cancer 24(4): 264-271
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-509X PMID: 3505515 Document Number: 294600
In a single point study, the pattern of psychological distress in 37 leukemia in-patients as well as their close relatives attending them at Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad, were evaluated. The data collected by clinical interview and a self-report inventory, symptom Check List 90-Revised (SCL 90-R) revealed statistically significant difference in psychological distress in leukemia patients and their immediate relatives. Overall psychiatric disturbance was noticed in 70 per cent of leukemia patients, 40 per cent showed depression and 30 per cent displayed intense anxiety. Marked samatic symptoms were present in majority of leukemia patients. Immediate relatives of leukemia patients also showed high degree of psychological distress on SCL 90-R. The findings emphasize urgent need for effective psychiatric assistance not only to leukemia patients but also to their close relatives.