Coping and Psychological Distress in Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery: Role of Pre-Operative Psycho-Education

Surgery is associated with an increase in emotional arousal and has a negative impact on the adjustment and recovery from the surgery. Uncertainty, perceived loss of control and post-surgery pain, financial matters, and aspects related to returning back to his/her family role are all sources of stressors for the patient undergoing elective surgery. Coping has also been found to play a mediating role in reducing stress and promoting post-surgery adjustment. When surgery is associated with high levels of psychological distress and anxiety the role of psycho-education becomes significant. The present study aims at investigating the role of pre-operative psychoeducation on coping and psychological distress. The findings indicated significant differences in the two groups, control and experimental on coping and hospital anxiety and depression. The results revealed that preoperative psychoeducation can enhance coping strategies and mitigate anxiety and depression in patients undergoing elective surgery.