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Patterns of coping with cancer.
C Dunkel-Schetter1, L G Feinstein, S E Taylor
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles 90024-1563.
Summary
Cancer patients utilize various coping strategies, with positive coping linked to lower distress. Escape-avoidance coping, however, correlates with increased emotional distress in cancer survivors.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Oncology
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Cancer patients employ diverse coping mechanisms to manage illness-related stress.
- Understanding these coping patterns is crucial for developing effective patient support interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify distinct coping patterns in cancer patients.
- To examine the relationship between coping strategies and patient characteristics, stress appraisals, and emotional distress.
Main Methods:
- Correlational and regression analyses were used.
- A sample of 603 cancer patients was assessed for coping patterns, sociodemographic factors, medical variables, stress appraisals, and emotional distress.
Main Results:
- Five coping patterns were identified: social support, positive focus, distancing, cognitive escape-avoidance, and behavioral escape-avoidance.
- Perceived stressfulness of cancer problems, not cancer type or treatment status, predicted greater use of social support and escape-avoidance.
- Social support, positive focus, and distancing were associated with lower emotional distress.
- Cognitive and behavioral escape-avoidance were associated with higher emotional distress.
Conclusions:
- Coping strategies significantly influence emotional distress levels in cancer patients.
- Interventions should promote adaptive coping mechanisms like social support and positive reframing.
- Minimizing maladaptive escape-avoidance behaviors is essential for improving patient well-being.