Post-Traumatic Stress Responses among Adults with Life-Threatening Illness: Patients with Cancer

Background: Cancer is a major public health problem that affect patients to suffer symptoms of post-traumatic stress anytime Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the post-traumatic stress responses among adults with life-threatening illness: patients with cancer. Design: A descriptive research design was utilized to achieve the aim of the study. Setting : This study was conducted at Oncology unit at Benha University Hospital, Qalubia Governorate. Sample : A convenience sample consisted of 100 patients with cancer. Tools : Two tools were utilized. Tool (1): Structured interview questionnaire. Tool (2): Post-traumatic stress responses questionnaire. Results : More than half of the studied patients had high level of post-traumatic stress responses toward self and society, Also more than half of studied patients had high level of post – traumatic stress responses toward future and effects of disease on activities of daily living. Conclusion: There is highly significant positive correlation between patients’ feeling toward self and their feeling toward society, future and effects of disease on activities of daily living. Recommendations: Stress management program for patients about how to coping with stressors.