Relationship between Self-care Agency and Quality of Life Among Cancer Patients Undergoing Outpatient Chemotherapy

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Purpose/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the relationship between self-care agency and quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients undergoing outpatient chemotherapy. Design: The study used a correlational research design with cancer patients undergoing outpatient chemotherapy at a medical facility. Methods: The subjects of the study were cancer patients from Facility A undergoing outpatient chemotherapy. A self-report survey form was distributed to subjects and responses were returned by mail. The main variables of interest consisted of (1) Honjo's (2001) SCAQ to test chronic patients' self-care agency and (2) Cella's (1993) FACT-G for QOL. Findings: The average age of subjects was 58.4, and the leading cancer types were breast cancer (38%) and lymphoma malignum (20%). The mean score (±SD) for each scale was 124.02 ± 13.56 on the SCAQ and 72.91 ± 17.04 on the FACT-G. A significant correlation was found between the scores on these two scales (r= .245, p≤ .05). Conclusions: People with greater self-care agency have a higher level of QOL. The results suggest the importance of nurses' support in helping to cultivate patients' self-care agency.