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Stress and Coping in Patients With Cancer With Depression and Sleep Disturbance
Alejandra Calvo-Schimmel1, Joosun Shin2, Carolyn S Harris3
1Eisenhower Health.
Oncology Nursing Forum
|April 26, 2024
Summary
Patients undergoing chemotherapy with depression and sleep disturbances experience higher stress and use maladaptive coping strategies. These individuals require screening for post-traumatic stress disorder and stress-reduction interventions.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy face significant life stress.
- Depression and sleep disturbances are common comorbidities that can exacerbate stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare stress, resilience, and coping strategies across different depression and sleep disturbance severity levels in chemotherapy patients.
- To identify patient profiles at higher risk for psychological distress.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 1,331 chemotherapy patients was analyzed.
- Global, cancer-specific, and cumulative life stress, resilience, and coping were measured.
- Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to evaluate differences between patient groups.
Main Results:
- Increased depression and sleep disturbance severity correlated with higher global and cancer-specific stress.
- Patients with moderate to high depression and sleep disturbance reported stress levels indicative of post-traumatic stress.
- These patient groups exhibited higher rates of stressful life events, used more disengagement coping, and had lower resilience scores.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians must screen chemotherapy patients for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Interventions aimed at reducing stress and improving coping mechanisms are crucial for vulnerable patient populations.
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