Hope Level and Life Satisfaction among Patients with Colostomy and their Family caregivers

Abstract

Patients anticipating colostomy surgery have many concerns, needs, and fears. They may be physically debilitated and emotionally distraught with concerns about life changes after surgery, prognosis, as well as ability to perform in established roles and finances. This type of surgery which affects normal bowel function and necessitates bowel movements in a pouch that lies outside the body has a significant impact on hope level and life satisfaction among both temporary and permanent colostomy patients as well as their family caregivers. The aim of the current study was to assess hope level and life satisfaction among patients with colostomy and their family caregivers. A descriptive exploratory research design was utilized. A total of 76 colostomy patients and a same number of their family caregivers were recruited in the study from four general surgical wards at El Manial University Hospital affiliated to Cairo University. Three tools were utilized to collect data of this study namely: A structured Questionnaire sheet, Hope Scale (Synder, 1995), as well as Life satisfaction scale (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985). The study findings revealed that temporary colostomy patients were complaining from low hope level and satisfaction with life than permanent colostomy patients. Regardless the type of colostomy and by time, hope level and satisfaction with life in family caregivers of both groups were decreased dramatically along the three assessments (at one week after colostomy surgery, ten days after discharge, and two months after discharge). No statistically significant differences were found in relation to life satisfaction among family caregivers of permanent colostomy patients in the second and third assessment. The same finding was observed between permanent colostomy patients and their family caregivers in the third assessment in relation to hope level. The study recommended that Hope Intervention program should be developed for colostomy patients especially temporary group. Further researches were also recommended focusing on needs assessment for family caregivers of temporary and permanent colostomy patients.

Key words: Hope level, life satisfaction, patients with colostomy, family caregivers.