Correlation between social relational quality and hope among patients with permanent colostomies

PurposeThis study examined the correlation between social relational quality and hope among patients with permanent colostomies.MethodsEighty-six eligible patients with permanent colostomies were recruited from a Class A tertiary hospital from July to December 2012. A self-designed demographic questionnaire, the Social Relational Quality Scale (SRQS), and the Herth Hope Index (HHI) were administered to all patients.ResultsThe total social relationship quality and hope scores were 49.42 ± 4.98 and 38.52 ± 4.64, respectively. The total scale score and composing subscale scores for social relationship quality and hope showed a statistically significant positive correlation with each other (r = 0.324–0.680; p < 0.01).ConclusionsA positive correlation exists between social relational quality and hope among patients with permanent colostomies. This finding suggests that such patients should be given hope and that their families should be encouraged to provide more support for better acceptance and adjustment.