The role of nonverbal communication nurses in the subjective experience of suffering of people with cancer oncological disease
Keywords:
Cancer, Nonverbal communication, Empathy, SufferingAbstract
Oncologic disease emerges unexpectedly in people’s lives, inducing a deep suffering, which calls for the construction of a therapeutic helping relationship, where non-verbal communication appears as a major pillar. In this context, the research is still incipient. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse the impact of nurses’ non-verbal communication skills on cancer patients’ subjective experience of suffering, and to explore the role of empathic communication skills in this relationship.
A convenience sample was used, consisting of patients with oncological disease (N = 84), hospitalized in the district of Braga. Participants’ mean age was 60.99 years (SD = 14.08). The evaluation protocol included a Sociodemographic, Professional and Clinical Questionnaire and the following instruments: the Nurses’ Nonverbal Communication Rating Scale (clients version) (EACNV, McIntyre & Lage, 1996); the Empathic Communication Rating Scale (clients version) (EACEE, McIntyre & Lage, 1996); and the Inventory of Subjective Experiences of Suffering in Disease (IESSD, McIntyre & Gameiro, 1997). Data revealed an independent effect of nurses’ Non-verbal Communication on patients’ Positive Experiences of Suffering in Disease (F (1.82) = 4.02, p<0.05, R2 = 3.5%). Findings showed that higher levels of empathic communication exhibited by nurses in listening/interest dimensions were significant
predictors of reduced patients’ suffering (F (7.75) = 2.91, p≤0.10, R2 = 14%; β = -289). Non-verbal communication of nurses was a significant predictor of the empathic communication perceived by patients (F (6.58) = 18.21, p <0.001), explaining 61.7% of the variance. The empathic communication dimensions of listening/interest, showed a mediating effect on the relationship between nurses’ non-verbal communication and patients’ suffering (Z = -2.03, p = 0.042, 95% CI [-453, -008]). These results reinforce the relevance of nurses’ communication and the need to implement programs that promote communication skills in the oncological context, valuing clinical communication as a therapeutic strategy in the positive transition of cancer patients.
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