[[alternative]]A Correlation Study of Symptom Distress, Coping Behavior and Quality of Life in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Patients

[[abstract]]The purpose of this descriptive correlation study was to examine the relationship among symptom distress, coping behaviors and quality of life in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. This study was conducted by cross-sectional research design and convenient sampling. Ninety-three patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were recruited from a general hospital in northern Taiwan. We used the basic information questionnaire, international prostate symptom score, revised ways of coping checklist and Short Form- 36 to collect data. The data were analyzed including mean, percentage, standard deviations and correlation coefficients. The results of this study showed that the patients with severe symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia were significantly worse in physical function (48.95±14.26 vs. 55.68±6.77, 53.56±7.02, p <.05) than patients with moderate and mild symptoms. In addition, this study also indicated that problem-focused coping was positively correlated with general health(r=.288, p <.01). The results of this study could help nurses to design health promotion programs and to provide appropriate health education for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, and furthermore improve coping strategies, overall quality of life, and maximize nursing functions in the future