The Experience of COVID-19 in a Sample of Gynecological Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Focus on the Psychological Implications

Gaia Perego (), Valentina Elisabetta Di Mattei, Martina Mazzetti, Francesca Milano, Carola Gatti, Paola Maria Vittoria Rancoita, Paola Taranto, Emanuela Rabaiotti, Raffaella Cioffi and Massimo Candiani
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Gaia Perego: School of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
Valentina Elisabetta Di Mattei: School of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
Martina Mazzetti: Clinical and Health Psychology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
Francesca Milano: Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20132 Milan, Italy
Carola Gatti: Clinical and Health Psychology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
Paola Maria Vittoria Rancoita: University Centre for Statistics in Biomedical Sciences (CUSSB), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
Paola Taranto: Clinical and Health Psychology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
Emanuela Rabaiotti: Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
Raffaella Cioffi: Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
Massimo Candiani: School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-12

Abstract: Cancer patients are at an increased risk of developing severe consequences due to the COVID-19 infection. However, psychological outcomes in this population have been overlooked in the literature. The present study aims to identify significant psychological differences between gynecological cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy before and during the pandemic. Additionally, we explore the correlations between COVID-19-related concerns and anxiety, depression, distress, and quality of life levels. Forty-two patients completed the STAI-Y, the EORTC QLQ-C30, the BDI II, the DT, and an ad-hoc questionnaire that investigated COVID-19-related concerns. The analyses did not show significant differences in the psychometric scales between the two groups, highlighting a considerable resilience against mental health and quality of life deterioration during the COVID-19 pandemic in gynecologic cancer patients. However, COVID-19-related concerns were positively associated with anxiety and inversely related to emotional functioning levels. These results emphasize the importance of a comprehensive patient care and the need to implement a multidisciplinary approach that includes psychological support in the treatment plan. Moreover, it is essential to encourage clear communication to convey comprehensive information about the impact of the pandemic on physical and psychological levels, as well as to offer psychoeducational tools to face the pandemic.

Keywords: gynecological cancer; chemotherapy; COVID-19; quality of life; anxiety; depression; distress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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