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Ostomies, Self-Esteem, and Body Image

DeGarmo, Lillian G
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=walshhonors15554983446509

Abstract Details

2019, Bachelor of Science, Walsh University, Honors.
In the year 2000, it was estimated that in the United States there were 800,000 patients with an ostomy. Researchers further estimated that this number would grow by 3% annually (Turnbull, 2003). An ostomy is the surgically made opening in the body that is used as an artificial passageway for the elimination of bodily waste. There are three types of ostomies: colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy. This surgical procedure causes a drastic change in how the body functions, creating new challenges for the patient which can directly affect the ostomy patient’s self-esteem and body image. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between certain variables, specifically gender, race, age, the number of times a patient met with an ostomy nurse preoperatively, the type of ostomy surgical approach used (laparoscopic or traditional/open method), and if any complications were experienced following the surgery, and their impact on body image and self-esteem following the surgery. Advances in medical technology and procedures such as laparoscopic colorectal surgery (using small incisions, a camera, and thin instruments to perform surgery without completely opening up the body) and preoperative marking of the stoma, have enabled patients to have a faster recovery time and a decreased hospitalization stay. Faster recovery time and less hospitalization is a positive outcome; however, this leaves less time to educate patients and allow them to become proficient with their stoma care before they are discharged (Burch & Slater, 2012; WOCN Society, 2018). How much the patient is taught about the surgical procedure, the procedure’s resulting physical change in body function, the adaptations to these bodily changes, the coping mechanisms for the adaptations, and the possible side effects the surgical procedure may have on the patient’s psychosocial well being, could affect the patient’s body image and self-esteem after the surgery. This project provides essential knowledge for nurses seeking to effectively educate and assist patients in coping with the ostomy procedure before, during, and after surgery. The study was performed using a cross-sectional, correlation survey of 215 participants over the age of 18. In order to reach a variety of participants, they were invited to partake in the survey through 10 online ostomy Facebook support groups. The survey was created using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and a modified version of The Grindler Body Attitudes Scale. The study found a significant relationship between age, self-esteem, and body image. The results showed that as a patient’s age increased, so did their self-esteem and body image. Also, the study found a significant relationship between post-surgical complications, self-esteem, and body image. The results showed that patients who experienced no post-surgical complications had a higher self-esteem and body image compared to patients who experienced at least one post-surgical complication. Understanding this relationship enables nurses to better educate patients on post-surgical life and possible complications.
Andrea Price (Advisor)
Laci Fiala (Other)
Ty Hawkins (Other)
40 p.
Nursing
ostomies; ostomy; self-esteem; self esteem; body image; nursing; WOC; WOC nurse; ostomy nurse

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • DeGarmo, L. G. (2019). Ostomies, Self-Esteem, and Body Image [Undergraduate thesis, Walsh University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=walshhonors15554983446509

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • DeGarmo, Lillian. Ostomies, Self-Esteem, and Body Image. 2019. Walsh University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=walshhonors15554983446509.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • DeGarmo, Lillian. "Ostomies, Self-Esteem, and Body Image." Undergraduate thesis, Walsh University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=walshhonors15554983446509

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

walshhonors15554983446509
178
© 2019, some rights reserved.Creative Commons License Ostomies, Self-Esteem, and Body Image by Lillian G DeGarmo is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at etd.ohiolink.edu.
This open access ETD is published by Walsh University Honors Theses and OhioLINK.