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Coping with prostate cancer: a meta-analytic review
Scott C Roesch1, Linda Adams, Amanda Hines
1Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-4611, USA. scroesch@sciences.sdsu.edu
Journal of Behavioral Medicine
|July 15, 2005
Summary
Men with prostate cancer benefit from active coping strategies like approach, problem-focused, and emotion-focused coping, leading to better psychological and physical health. Avoidance coping, however, is linked to poorer adjustment and health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychology
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Prostate cancer significantly impacts men's psychological and physical well-being.
- Understanding effective coping mechanisms is crucial for improving adjustment in cancer patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analytic review of the relationship between coping strategies and adjustment in men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
- To identify specific coping categories associated with better or worse psychological and physical health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis was performed on data from 33 studies.
- Included 3,133 men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
- Extracted methodological and statistical information from selected studies.
Main Results:
- Approach, problem-focused, and emotion-focused coping were associated with better psychological and physical health.
- Approach coping showed strong positive effects on self-esteem, positive affect, depression, and anxiety.
- Avoidance coping correlated with negative psychological adjustment and poorer physical health.
Conclusions:
- Active coping strategies (approach, problem-focused, emotion-focused) are beneficial for men with prostate cancer.
- These strategies positively influence psychological, physical health, and return to pre-cancer activities.
- Avoidance coping strategies are detrimental to adjustment and health in this population.