Science Journal of Medicine and Clinical Trials
February 2014,Volume 2014, ISSN: 2276-7487
© Author(s) 2014. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research Article
Surgery and Care Giving: How Patients and Care Givers Cope with Loneliness
1Ami Rokach, Ph.D.,2Yona Miller, Ph.D., 3Sharon Shick, 4Idit Matot, M.D.
1York University, Canada Walden University, USA
Center for Academic Studies, Israel
2Center for Academic Studies, Israel
3Center for Academic Studies, Israel
4Tel Aviv Medical Center, Israel
Accepted 28 January, 2014; Available Online 24 February,2014
doi: 10.7237/sjmct/159
Abstract:
This research, conducted on patients and caregivers, examined the manner in which they cope with loneliness. Patients were divided into those who were approached before they had surgery, and those post operatively. We collected information about their tumors, which were either benign or malignant. The patients' coping with loneliness was compared to their caregivers who were either intimate partners or 'others', i.e. family members and friends. The loneliness questionnaire, has already been extensively utilized in previous studies, and was used to explore the various aspects of loneliness of those groups. Significant differences in sub scale scores were found in patients pre and post surgery, with those who have already had surgery scoring higher. Interestingly, the only significant difference in the caregiver group was between men and women, in line with the socialization process of the genders, which makes women more open and vocal about their feelings and needs
Keyword: Loneliness, surgery, patients, caregivers, hospitalization, coping.