Quality of life and coping of persons with temporary and permanent stomas

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the use of coping strategies and quality of life (QoL) among individuals with temporary and permanent stomas. DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional. METHODS: After consideration of ethical issues, 42 subjects with temporary stomas and 72 subjects with permanent stomas were interviewed. The Coping Strategies Inventory of Folkman and Lazarus, and Ferrans and Powers QoL Index, both validated for the Brazilian culture, were administered. RESULTS: Subjects from both groups used all coping strategies queried in the Coping Strategies Index and QoL index, but significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in use of confrontive, escape-avoidance, and positive reappraisal factors, which were more frequently employed by patients with temporary stoma. QoL scores did not differ between the groups. Significant correlations (P <.001) among subjects with temporary stomas were observed between the family QoL subscale and (a) distancing, (b) self-control, (c) accepting responsibility, (d) escape-avoidance, and (e) positive reappraisal coping factors. Significant correlations were also found between the psychological/spiritual QoL subscale and positive reappraisal factor; between the health/function mg QoL subscale and planful problem solving and positive reappraisal for patients with temporary stomas. Among subjects with permanent stomas, only significant correlations existed between the psychological/spiritual QoL subscale and self-control and social support coping factors. CONCLUSION: Individuals with stomas tend to show positive QoL scores. However, different coping strategies were used by persons with temporary versus permanent stomas.