Quality of Life and Coping of Persons With Temporary and Permanent Stomas

Abstract

To evaluate and compare the use of coping strategies and quality of life (QoL) among individuals with temporary and permanent stomas. Descriptive, cross-sectional. After consideration of ethical issues, 42 subjects with temporary stomas and 72 subjects with permanent stomas were interviewed. The Coping Strategies Inventory of Folkman and Lazarus, and Ferrans and Powers QoL Index, both validated for the Brazilian culture, were administered. Subjects from both groups used all coping strategies queried in the Coping Strategies Index and QoL index, but significant differences (P P Individuals with stomas tend to show positive QoL scores. However, different coping strategies were used by persons with temporary versus permanent stomas.