A path analysis of impacts of social support and coping styles on posttraumatic growth of patients with ostomy

Objective To explore the effect of social support and coping style on posttraumatic growth of ostomy patients. Methods A total of 237 patients with ostomy from Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were investigated using General questionnaire, Perceived Social Support Scale, Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory by cross-sectional survey method from September 2017 to March 2018. The path of social support and coping style on post-traumatic growth was established by correlation analysis and structural equation model. Results The total score of posttraumatic growth in patients with ostomy was (66.76±12.20) points, which was at the upper-middle level. Correlation analysis showed that posttraumatic growth was positively correlated with comprehension of social support (r=0.551, P <0.01), positively correlated with face style (r=0.580, P < 0.01), negatively correlated with avoidance style and resignation style (r=-0.334, P < 0.01; r=-0.449, P < 0.01). Structural equation model showed social support had directly positive effect on posttraumatic growth, path coefficient were 0.44. Face style, avoidance style, and resignation style had a partial mediating effect between social support and posttraumatic growth, and mediation effects account for 20.01%, 5.21%, 9.25% of the total effect, respectively. Conclusions The posttraumatic growth level of patients with ostomy needs to be improved. Medical staff should strengthen social support for patients and guide patients to adopt the positive coping styles, reduce the avoidance and resignation coping styles, and promote patients to get more posttraumatic growth, furthermore, improve their social adaptability and quality of life. Key words: Ostomy; Posttraumatic growth; Social support; Coping style, path analysis