Examination of the effects of a support group intervention on stoma adaptation, quality of life and complication severity in individuals with stoma

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the Turkish validity and reliability of the Pittman Ostomy Complication Severity Index (OCSI) and evaluate the effects support group intervention on stoma adaptation, quality of life and complication severity in individuals with stoma. Method: Research was composed of methodological and quasi-experimental study parts. At methodological phase, data were collected from individuals who had stoma 2-6 months (n:90). At quasi-experimental phase, data were collected from individuals with stoma as control group (n:34) and experimental group (n:31) before the support group intervention (baseline), after the support group intervention (third month) and three months (sixth month). Data were analyzed by scale content validity index, interrater reliability statistics at methodological phase. Data were analyzed by t test, multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures, Bonferroni analysis at quasi-experimental phase. Results: At methodological phase, the content validity index for the OCSI was found as 0.95. Cohen Kappa coefficient showing the acceptable interrater realiability changed between 0.70-1.00 for all items. Pearson correlation coefficient was found 0.982 (p=0.000) and the intraclass correlation coefficient was found 0.986 (p=0.000). At quasi-experimental phase, while there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of adaptation to stoma, quality of life and OCSITR mean scores in the initial data of experimental and control groups (p> 0.05), there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of mean scores of adaptation to stoma, quality of life after the support group intervention (3rd month), and there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of adaptation to stoma, quality of life and OCSITR mean scores at 6 months (p <0.05). Conclucion: At methodological phase, it was found that the OCSITR valid and reliable scale. At quasi-experimental phase the the support group intervention was found to be effective in improving the quality of life of individuals with stoma, increasing adaptation to stoma, and reducing the severity of complications. Key Words: support group, stoma, adaptation, quality of life, OCSITR