The effects of fatigue and depression on quality of life in radiation oncology patients

No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Hogue, Cheryl M.
Advisor
Nicholas, Donald R.
Issue Date
2000
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (M.A.)
Department
Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services
Other Identifiers
Abstract

The use of quality of life instruments to evaluate the effects of cancer and its treatments on patients has increased, but understanding the roles that fatigue and depression play on quality of life is still complicated. Earlier studies have examined the individual effects on the quality of life of cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether gender is related to the effects of fatigue and depression on quality of life. This study also examined the interactional effects of fatigue and depression on quality of life. The current study found no significant differences on reports of quality of life between genders. Additionally, this study found that depression and fatigue were moderately correlated. Depression and fatigue were also found to account for a proportion of the variance in the quality of life domains of physical, functional, and emotional wellbeing. However, the interaction effects were minimal, but were significant predictors of total quality of life in females, but not male, cancer patients.

Collections