Factors Affecting Psychosocial Adjustment in Persons With a Recent Ostomy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of personal and clinical factors on psychosocial adjustment in persons living with an ostomy for less than 1 year. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The study sample comprised 183 adult individuals who had a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy for less than 1 year, residing in the Northeastern United States. METHODS: Data were collected from May through November 2018 using 2 instruments: a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Ostomy Adjustment Inventory-23 (OAI-23). The OAI-23 items measured 4 psychosocial subscales: acceptance, anxious preoccupation, social engagement, and anger. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of variance, Cramer's V correlations, and multiple regression. RESULTS: Univariate analysis indicated that factors influencing psychosocial adjustment to an ostomy include age, assistance with care, educational background, stomal type, body mass index, ostomy height, preoperative education, and stoma siting. Multivariate analysis of variance identified that those who reported independence with ostomy care experienced higher levels of adjustment in all areas of the OAI-23. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study may assist nurses and other care providers to better understand the physical and emotional needs of those with ostomies and to identify interventions to promote optimal health in this population.