Factors determining psychosocial functioning of patients with the intestinal stoma

Introduction: Creation of an intestinal stoma affects psychosocial functioning of a patient as well as patient’s quality of life. For many years now researchers have been trying to identify factors, which determine functioning of these patients. Getting to know those variables may improve care and quality of life of patients with the stoma, significantly.

Aim of the study: The objective of this work was to recognise factors determining psychosocial functioning of patients with the intestinal stoma.

Material and methods: A prospective study included 200 patients with created intestinal stoma. Women comprised 45.5% of the study group and 54.5% were men. In order to enrol a patient for this study the stoma had to be created at least 2 months before its beginning. The respondents came from Podkarpacki, Malopolski, and Kujawsko-Pomorski regions.

The following tools were used: authors' survey questionnaire and Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) by Schwarzer, Jeuzalem, and Juszczynski.

Results were analysed statistically using the x² test with the confidence level of α = 0.05.

Results: Received results showed that creation of a intestinal stoma affected patients functioning in social, personal and family life spheres. The level of respondents owe effectiveness and determined by the following factors: age, education, independence, time since intestinal stoma possessed.

Conclusions:

1. Intestinal stoma creation affected patients’ functioning in social, personal, and family life spheres.

2. The most significant changes in respondents’ functioning regarded dietary habits, clothing, lifestyle, self-perception, and their plans for life.

3. Respondent’s age had a significant influence on one’s plans for life, hierarchy of values, and self-image.

4. The statistical analysis proved that stoma correlated with the way female respondents dressed.

5. Stoma creation in patients from the younger subgroup, aged between 39 and 59, men who were married or had a partner, affected their sexual life.

6. The range of support actions expected by respondents varied and depended on their independence, age, and their place of residence.

7. Respondents presented high or medium level of their own effectiveness.

8. The level of respondent’s own effectiveness was determined by the following factors: education, independence, and time since intestinal stoma creation.