Psychological distress, resilience, social support and help-seeking behaviors in patients with type ii diabetes, breast cancer and hypertension

Abstract

Recent research suggests that there is a changing pattern in the illness from infectious or acute diseases to more chronic health conditions; this leads to emotional and psychological problems. Having psychological problems impairs an individual’s ability to be resilient in the face of adversity. However this has been ignored by research. The purpose of this study was to examine psychological distress and resilience in patients with specific chronic diseases: Type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, and hypertension. The study also focuses on exploring the major help-seeking behaviours that prevent patients from seeking psychological support. Using the stratified sampling technique, the study sample 83 Type 2 diabetes, 43 breast cancer and 88 hypertensive patients form the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. Participants answered a 46 item questionnaire that measured psychological distress, resilience, social support as well as help-seeking behaviours of patients. Severe psychological distress was prevalent in half of the sample while over a third of participants reported low resilience. Resilience was significantly and negatively correlated with psychological distress and social support did not moderate this relationship. Differences were found in both psychological distress and resilience based on type of disease. Also a difference was found in resilience based on employment status but on level of education. It was concluded that patients with chronic conditions are likely to develop psychological and emotional problems and this affects their ability to cope with their condition. It was recommended that treatment should adopt a holistic (Biopsychosocial) approach.