Low level of PA was relatively high among Turkish physicians and nurses working in oncology department compared with previous studies. Younger and single physicians had higher burnout levels compared with older and married ones.

One hundred ten patients with colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy who presented to Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Oncology between January 2004 and April 2007 were included in this study. The series of forms including the questions regarding the demographic characteristics of the patient, Turkish version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Turkish version of the STAI, and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (EORTC-QLQ-C30; version 3) were completed during face-to-face interviews by trained interviewers to determine the psychological status and quality of life of the patients. The mean Beck depression scores were 11.2 +/- 9.0 (range 0-44) and the mean STAI scores were 41.9 +/- 8.8 (range 22-71). Of the patients (Beck depression scores >or=17 points), 23.6% were determined as depressive. The EORTC-QLQ-C30 function scales and global quality of life scores of the depressive patients (BDI >or= 17) were significantly lower than that of the nondepressive patients (BDI < 17). EORTC-QLQ-C30 symptom scale scores (excluding of the diarrhea) of the depressive patients were significantly higher than that of the nondepressive patients. The patients with low STAI scores (STAI < 45) had significantly higher EORTC-QLQ-C30 function scales and global quality of life scores than the patients with high STAI scores (STAI >or= 45). EORTC-QLQ-C30 symptom scale scores of the patients with high STAI scores were significantly higher than that of the patients with low STAI scores. In the present study, we detected that anxiety and depression were strongly associated with poor quality of life in Turkish colorectal cancer patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the group therapy on psychological symptoms and quality of life of patients with early stage breast cancer. Methods: This study was performed on 16 breast cancer patients who completed treatments. The total group therapy program involved a weekly session of 2-3 hours, for 16 weeks. The group therapy sessions were given to women in the oncology department by a clinical psychologist and also given training sections by the different professional teams. All the required assessments for the study were performed after and before 16 week group therapy intervention. Results: Initially we had taken 21 women but 16 participated in all therapy programs and submitted questionnaires. The mean age was 47.8 years. There were significant differences between before and after group therapy program. Anxiety, depression, and distress showed significant improvements. Hopelessness scale was detected at the border of significance. There was no change in sleep problems and quality of life. According to the analysis of correlation, considering the age factor and year of diagnosis, there was found no statistically significant relationship between anxiety, distress, depression, hopelessness, sleeplessness, and quality of life. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrated that brief, predominantly group therapy is feasible for patients with breast cancer and, also it may be helpful to cope with emotional and physical distress.

The aim of the present study is to investigate anxiety and depression levels and quality of life of Turkish breast cancer patients and their husbands with Beck depression, STAI scoring system, and EORTC-QLQ-C30 quality of life scale. Fifty-five patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy who applied to Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Oncology, and their husbands were included in this study. The series of forms including the questions regarding the demographic characteristics of the patient, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and EORTC-QLQ-C30 (version 3) were completed during face-to-face interviews by trained interviewers for determination of the psychological status and quality of life of the patients. The mean Beck depression scores of patients and their husbands were 13 +/- 9.3 (range 2-46) and 7.9 +/- 5.7 (range 0-27) (P = 0.001). The mean STAI scores of patients and their husbands were 44.9 +/- 8.7 (range 20-58) and 41.7 +/- 8.0 (range 26-59) (P = 0.09).Twenty-nine percent of the patients and 5.4% of the husbands (Beck Depression scores > or = 17 points) were determined as depressive. It was determined that the EORTC-QLQ C30 physical and social function scales of the patients were significantly lower than their husbands. The difference of global quality of life scores and other function scales (role, cognitive, emotional function scales) between patients and their husbands were not significant. It was found that depression of breast cancer patients were significantly higher than their husbands. But there was no significant difference between the EORTC-QLQ C30 global quality of life scores and STAI scores of the breast cancer patients and their husbands.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the validity and reliability of Separation Anxiety Symptoms Inventory (SASI) that assess childhood separation anxiety retrospectively and Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire (ASA). Method: The study sample included a group of 410 participants comprised of 282 adult psychiatric outpatients with anxiety and/or major depressive disorders according to DSM-IV criteria and 128 nonpsychiatric control subjects. The presence of psychiatric disorders was determined by using the M.I.N.I.