Quality of life, self-transcendence, illness distress, and fatigue in liver transplant recipients
| dc.contributor.advisor | Stuifbergen, Alexa, 1955- | en |
| dc.creator | Wright, Kathy Baker | en |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2008-08-28T21:45:22Z | en |
| dc.date.available | 2008-08-28T21:45:22Z | en |
| dc.date.issued | 2003 | en |
| dc.description | text | en |
| dc.description.abstract | This cross sectional study described the relationship between quality of life (QOL) and self-transcendence (ST) in liver transplant recipients. Self-transcendence is a dynamic process reflecting spiritual growth and maturity and a broadening of personal perspective during challenging life experiences. Illness distress, fatigue, age, gender, marital status, education, and time-since-transplant were also investigated relative to QOL. Participants (n = 471) were primarily Caucasian (86.5%), male (53.5%), married (73.5%), religiously affiliated (93.4%), and perceived their health status as "good" (48%) or "excellent" (19%). Participants with the highest ST scores (M = 3.36, S.D. = .37, possible range 1-4) were female, older (65-79 years), or recently transplanted (< 2 years). Females reported significantly higher ST scores than males. Participants with the highest QOL scores (M = 23.73, S.D. = 4.88, possible range = 0-30) were female, older (65-79 years), and transplanted 3-5 years ago. Strong relationships existed between QOL and ST scores (r = .51, p < .01), illness distress and fatigue scores (r = .51, p < .01), and QOL and illness distress scores (r = -.71, p < .01). Moderate relationships existed between QOL and fatigue scores (r = -.45, p < .01) and ST and illness distress scores (r = -.36, p < .01). Self-transcendence and fatigue scale scores had a weak relationship (r = -.20, p < .01). Illness distress scores were low (M = 15.30; SD = 13.47, possible range 0-88) as were fatigue scores (M = 4.23; SD = 2.04, possible range 1-10). Regression analysis revealed illness distress, ST, fatigue, and age accounted for 60% of the variance in QOL scores. Most respondents reported post-transplant QOL as better than expected. Comorbidities had a major impact on post-transplant QOL. Financial resources were adequate. Multiple factors were cited as important to QOL including family, friends, health, spirituality, productivity, happiness, and job security. This study suggests self-rated QOL and ST are high for liver transplant recipients while illness distress and fatigue are low. Females have significantly higher ST scores than males. Self-transcendence, illness distress, fatigue, and age are important factors related to QOL and should be further investigated. | |
| dc.description.department | Nursing | en |
| dc.format.medium | electronic | en |
| dc.identifier | b57476408 | en |
| dc.identifier.oclc | 57192621 | en |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/2152/1082 | en |
| dc.language.iso | eng | en |
| dc.rights | Copyright is held by the author. Presentation of this material on the Libraries' web site by University Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin was made possible under a limited license grant from the author who has retained all copyrights in the works. | en |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Liver--Transplantation | en |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Quality of life | en |
| dc.title | Quality of life, self-transcendence, illness distress, and fatigue in liver transplant recipients | en |
| dc.type.genre | Thesis | en |
| thesis.degree.department | Nursing, School of | en |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Nursing | en |
| thesis.degree.grantor | The University of Texas at Austin | en |
| thesis.degree.level | Doctoral | en |
| thesis.degree.name | Doctor of Philosophy | en |