Coping strategies in cancer patients: A single-center study

Abstract

Introduction: The cancer diagnosis generates emotional instability, which precludes adequate coping in many cases. Coping is the constantly changing cognitive and behavioral effort that develops to handle specific demands such as cancer diagnosis. This research aimed to identify coping strategies in a group of cancer patients in a national reference hospital.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Eugenio Espejo Hospital in Quito, Ecuador, from January to June 2018, with a non-probabilistic sample of patients with neoplasms, demographic and clinical variables were recorded, and the coping test of 40 CSI questions "The Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI). Univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics are used.

Results: 47 cases were analyzed, 74% women, with an average age of 55. Complete secondary education in 38% of cases. The Coping Strategies that appeared in 70% of the patients were: Cognitive Restructuring (REC) and Problem Avoidance (EVP); in 15%, "Problem Resolution" (REP) was presented. Coping Strategies in men were REP with 57%, while Emotional Expression (EEM) was presented in women with 86%. In the first six months, 77% use the EEM; from 7 to 12 months, 19% to the Self-criticism strategy (AUC); from 1 to 2 years with 17% Wishful Thinking Strategy (PSD); of 3 or more years with 14% corresponds to Resolution of Problems (REP).

Conclusion: Coping strategies are significantly used in the first six months after the cancer diagnosis, after which the strategies decrease below 20%.