Psychosocial Changes Related to
Bone Metastasis
A key factor to understanding the Roy Adaptation Model
is the interfacing nature of the behavioral modes or methods
for dealing with change. Therefore, interventions aimed at
promoting adaptation frequently overlap and positively influence
response in other modes. This interfacing is illustrated
when reviewing nursing interventions that promote adaptation
to bone metastasis (see Table 3).
Patient education is the method that is used most frequently
for coping with uncertain and stressful events (Lazarus &
Folkman, 1984), such as the diagnosis of bone metastasis. Information
helps the patient to understand the physiology of
the disease, learn about available treatment options, and participate
in decision making. Information provides the patient
and family with a form of cognitive control because they then
can interpret the aversive event and take action, which enhances
well-being. In the case of a diagnosis of bone metastasis,
reducing stress is particularly important. Treatment-specific
education and social support are methods of enhancing
adaptation or adjustment to cancer that have been suggested
repeatedly by clinical researchers (Hoskins et al., 1996; Northouse,
Laten, & Reddy, 1995).