Factors Influencing Demoralization Syndrome in Postoperative Patients With Colorectal Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVES: To explore the status of demoralization syndrome and its influencing factors in postoperative patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).SAMPLE & SETTING: Convenience sampling was adopted to select 243 patients who had undergone CRC surgery from a Grade A tertiary hospital in China as the research participants.METHODS & VARIABLES: Demographic characteristics, disease-related information, medical coping styles, social support level, illness perception degree, and positive psychological capital status were collected.Statistical analyses were performed using independent samples t tests or one-way analysis of variance.Pearson's correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were also conducted.RESULTS: 232 patients post-CRC surgery completed the survey, with the majority presenting moderate or severe demoralization syndrome (moderate: 57%; severe: 42%).The main factors influencing patients' demoralization syndrome include marital status (widowed), education level, per capita monthly household income (renminbi/ month), tumor staging, and ostomy status, as well as resignation coping style, illness perception degree, and positive psychological capital score (all p < 0.05).(Continued on the next page) KEYWORDS postoperative