The impact of emotional support on an ostomate's life satisfaction

Introduction

Ostomates whose emotional health have been compromised due to stomal surgery, have been found to experience a lower quality of life than those not negatively affected by their stoma.

Aim/Methods

This research article investigates the impact of emotional support and stomal emotional distress on an ostomate’s life satisfaction. The analysis utilizes a subset (n=2564) of the Ostomy Comprehensive Health and Life Assessment survey (N=4097).

The life satisfaction index is a cumulative score from questions of satisfaction with social life, life with spouse/partner, family life, leisure time, financial status, and overall contentment.  The score ranges between 0 and 24, with scores of 9 or less indicating a negative life satisfaction.

The emotional support index is a cumulative score from questions of support with stomal distress and the availability of a confidant. The score ranges from 0 to 16, with scores of 6 or less indicating low emotional support.

Analysis was conducted via logistic regression and classification trees.

Results

While the majority of the participants are emotionally supported, 14% have little to no support and 15% have some support. Logistic regression finds those who lack emotional support 3.1 (95% CI: 2.2-4.2) times more likely to have lower life satisfaction. To counteract the large unbalance of unsupported to supported participants, 5000 tree simulations were employed revealing emotionally unsupported people at a 30% increase for lower life satisfaction. Similarly 35% of participants experienced negative emotional affects due to their stoma and are twice as likely to be dissatisfied (95% CI: 1.4-2.4).

Conclusions

The impact of stomal emotional distress and emotional support on an ostomate’s satisfaction with life is significant. Given the connection between life satisfaction and quality of life, providing emotional support is key.