Coping with prostate cancer: a quantitative analysis using a new instrument, the centre for clinical excellence in...

To assess the reliability (internal and interrater) and validity (concurrent) of a new interview measure for assessing patients' ability to cope with cancer, the Centre for Clinical Excellence in Urological Research Coping with Cancer Instrument (CCCI), and to determine whether there is an underlying structure to the various coping strategies used by patients with prostate cancer.

Eighty patients with prostate cancer were interviewed using the CCCI. The participants also completed measures of quality of life and anxiety and depression.

The psychometric properties of the CCCI were acceptable. Factor analysis revealed that coping with prostate cancer can be described along five dimensions: positive problem solving (fighting against the illness, seeking information); self-reliance (developing a lay explanation, distrusting doctors); emotional availability (not withdrawing from others); distress (brooding, self-pity); and solace (taking alcohol or drugs to improve mood). These coping styles were correlated with age, quality of life, self-reported prostate-specific antigen level, and measures of anxiety and depression.

The results of the present study have led to a greater understanding of the underlying coping styles used by patients with prostate cancer. Although some of these are similar to those found in other cancer populations, others, such as self-reliance and solace, represent unique and potentially clinically significant responses to prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. A larger scale longitudinal study is needed to determine the wider clinical implications associated with each coping style.