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Examining the Presence of Symptom Clusters in Patients with Advanced Cancer

Morrison, Eleshia JP

Abstract Details

2009, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Psychology.
The present study is one of the first to examine symptom clusters in women with advanced breast cancer using exploratory factor analysis. One hundred forty-six participants were accrued shortly after diagnosis. Assessment of symptoms occurred at time of accrual (baseline), and 4, 8, and 12 months post diagnosis. The five-factor solution at 4 months demonstrated clusters of 1) depression and cognitive symptoms; 2) pain; 3) fatigue and sleep disturbance; 4) gastrointestinal symptoms and sweating; and 5) various physical symptoms. Target rotation at baseline confirmed the appropriateness of the five-factor solution. Decreased sample size over time prevented the use of factor analysis at the 8 and 12 month assessments. Results of the present study are consistent with the small existing literature. Further studies on symptom clusters will better inform health care professionals regarding appropriate management of concurrent symptoms possibly having common underlying causal mechanisms.
Barbara Andersen, PhD (Advisor)
Julian Thayer, PhD (Committee Member)
Michael Browne, PhD (Committee Member)
112 p.

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Citations

  • Morrison, E. J. (2009). Examining the Presence of Symptom Clusters in Patients with Advanced Cancer [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1259769198

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Morrison, Eleshia. Examining the Presence of Symptom Clusters in Patients with Advanced Cancer. 2009. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1259769198.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Morrison, Eleshia. "Examining the Presence of Symptom Clusters in Patients with Advanced Cancer." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1259769198

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)