A Study to assess the Effectiveness of Bibliotherapy on stress among cancer patients in Selected Cancer Hospitals at Erode District

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: “A STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BIBLIOTHERAPY ON STRESS AMONG CANCER PATIENTS IN SELECTED CANCER HOSPITALS, AT ERODE DISTRICT” OBJECTIES: 1. To assess the pretest level of stress among cancer patients in experimental and control group in selected cancer hospitals at Erode district. 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of Bibliotherapy on stress among cancer patients in experimental group. 3. To compare the post test stress level among cancer patients in experimental and control group. 4. To find out the association between the pre tests stress level among cancer patients with their selected demographic variables. METHODS: The research approach used for this study was evaluative approach and research design was True Experimental Design. The total number of samples taken was 60, among that 30 samples was in experimental group and where as 30 samples in control group that was selected for the study by using simple randomized technique. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (chi-square, paired ‘t’ test and unpaired ‘t’ test were used to analyze the data and to test hypothesis. RESULTS: The result of the study showed that the pretest level of stress. The mean score in experimental group is Mild 2(7%), Moderate 6(20%) and Severe 22 (73%) whereas, it was reduced in the post test with means score mild 18(60%), moderate 10(33.3%) and severe 2 (6.6%)). It states that Bibliotherapy has an impact on stress among cancer patients in experimental group. The computed ‘t’ value 11.353 was higher than the calculated value at 0.05 level of significance. Hence, H1 (there is significant difference between pre test and post test level of stress among cancer patients in experimental group) was accepted. The post test overall stress score in experimental group. The mild 18(60%), moderate 10(33.3%) and severe 2 (6.6%) and where as in control group mild 2 (6.6%), moderate 9 (20%) and severe 22 (73.3%). The comparison between post test level of stress score in experimental group and control group. showing the value are significant which was observed from unpaired‘t’ test value of 9.833 at 0.05 level of significance, which is evident for the effect of Bibliotherapy in reducing stress level among cancer patients. Hence, H2 (There is significant difference in post test level of stress among cancer patients in experimental group and control group) was accepted. There is significant association between pretest level of stress and demographic variables such as sex, habit and other relaxation techniques. The findings of the study support the need of awareness regarding bibliotherapy among nurses. The study was proved that the cancer patients had remarkable decrease in stress level after Bibliotherapy. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study proved that the Bibliotherapy on stress among cancer patients was effective in reducing the level of stress. The study revealed that irrespective of variations in demographic variables, all patients in experimental group showed reduction in level of stress with Bibliotherapy