Are social support and coping styles differently associated with adjustment to cancer in early and advanced stages?
Abstract
Background: Many people experience cancer as a chronic disease followed by adaptation to a new reality. Adjustment to cancer is a continuous process that follows the progression of the disease. Aims: We aimed to support the claim that patients in different stages of cancer develop different adjustment patterns, and that the stage of the disease modifies the interrelationships among social support, coping styles, and quality of life. We also hypothesized that greater perceived social support influence more adaptive coping strategies, which mediate the relationship between social support and adjustment, differently in the early and advanced stage of cancer. Methods. One-hundred-two consecutive cancer patients were recruited. Measures. We administered the Social Provision Scale, the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer, the Brief-COPE, and the SF-12 health survey. Results. No differences emerged in adjustment to cancer, coping relate variables and quality of life between stage III and stage IV patients. Subsequent analyses revealed that the stage of the disease moderated the relationships between fatalism and fighting spirit and those between physical health and both avoidance and problem-solving. Regardless of the stage of illness, positive thinking mediated between social support and fighting spirit. Conclusion. Although the average adjustment pattern was the same for early-stage and advanced patients, adjustment processes were different according to cancer stage. The results confirm that social support and disease stage are important for adjustment to cancer. Favouring acceptance, positive reframing, and humour, social support helped patients to be more determined in fighting the disease and contrasted helpless-hopelessness and anxious preoccupations.
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Anagnostopoulos, F., Kolokotroni, P., Spanea, E., & Chryssochoou, M. (2006). The Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer (Mini-MAC) scale: construct validation with a Greek sample of breast cancer patients. Psycho-oncology, 15 1, 79-89.
Apolone G, Mosconi P, Quattrociocchi L, Granicolo EAL, Groth N, Ware JE, Jr. Questionario sullo stato di salute SF-12. Versione italiana. Guerini e Associati Editore, Milano, 2001.
Bardwell, W.A., Natarajan, L., Dimsdale, J.E., Rock, C.L., Mortimer, J.E., Hollenbach, K., Pierce, J.P. (2006). Objective cancer-related variables are not associated with depressive symptoms in women treated for early-stage breast cancer. J Clin Oncol.,1;24(16), 2420-7.
Baumstarck, K., Alessandrini, M., Hamidou, Z., Auquier, P., Leroy, T., & Boyer, L. (2017). Assessment of coping: a new french four-factor structure of the brief COPE inventory. Health and quality of life outcomes, 15(1), 8.
Brandão T, Schulz MS, Matos PM. (2017) Psychological adjustment after breast cancer: a systematic review of longitudinal studies Psychooncology. 2017 Jul;26(7):917-926.
Brennan, J. (2001). Adjustment to cancer: Coping or personal transition? Psycho-Oncology, 10,1–18.
Burg, M.A., Adorno, G., Lopez, E., Loerzel, V., Stein, K., Wallace, C., Sharma, D.K.B. (2015) Current unmet needs of cancer survivors: analysis of open-ended responses to the American Cancer Society Study of Cancer Survivors II. Cancer,121(4), 623–630.
Caputo, A. (2014). Exploring quality of life in Italian patients with rare disease: a computer-aided content analysis of illness stories. Psychology, health & medicine, 19(2), 211-221.
Caron, J., (2013). A validation of the Social Provisions Scale: the SPS-10 items. Sante Ment Que. 38(1):297-318
Carver, C. S. (1997). You want to measure coping but your protocol’s too long: Consider the Brief COPE. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 4, 92-100.
Carver, C. S., Smith, R. G., Antoni, M. H., Petronis, V. M., Weiss, S., & Derhagopian, R. P. (2005). Optimistic personality and psychosocial well-being during treatment predict psychosocial well-being among long-term survivors of breast cancer. Health Psychology, 24(5), 508.
Cavanna, D., Bizzi, F., & Charpentier-Mora, S. (2015). Percorsi individuali e spirituali nella risposta al cancro. Salute e Società, 2, 143-157.
Costanzo, E.S., Lutgendorf, S.K., Rothrock. N.E., Anderson, B: (2006). Coping and quality of life among women extensively treated for gynecologic cancer. Psychooncology 15(2):132-142.
Cutrona, C. E. & Russell, D. W. The Provisions of social relationships and adaptation to stress. Advanced Personal Relationships (JAI Press, Greenwich, CT, 1987).
Epplein, M., Zheng, Y., Zheng, W., Chen, Z., Gu, K., Penson, D., … Shu, X.-O. (2011). Quality of Life After Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Survival. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 29(4), 406–412.
Falagas, M. E., Zarkadoulia, E. A., Ioannidou, E. N., Peppas, G., Christodoulou, C., & Rafailidis, P. I. (2007). The effect of psychosocial factors on breast cancer outcome: a systematic review. Breast Cancer Research, 9(4), 1. Available online http://breast-cancer-research.com/content/9/4/R44
Faller, H., Weis, J., Koch, U., Brähler, E., Härter, M., Keller, M., ... & Reuter, K. (2016). Perceived need for psychosocial support depending on emotional distress and mental comorbidity in men and women with cancer. Journal of psychosomatic research, 81, 24-30.
Grassi, L., Buda, P., Cavana, L., Annunziata, M. A., Torta, R., & Varetto, A. (2005). Styles of coping with cancer: the Italian version of the Mini‐Mental Adjustment to Cancer (Mini‐MAC) scale. Psycho‐Oncology: Journal of the Psychological, Social and Behavioral Dimensions of Cancer, 14(2), 115-124.
Grassi, L., Rosti, G., Albertazzi, L., & Marangolo, M. (1996). Depressive symptoms in autologous bone marrow transplant (ABMT) patients with cancer: An exploratory study. Psycho‐Oncology, 5(4), 305-310.
Hack, T. F., & Degner, L. F. (2004). Coping responses following breast cancer diagnosis predict psychological adjustment three years later. Psycho‐Oncology: Journal of the Psychological, Social and Behavioral Dimensions of Cancer, 13(4), 235-247.
Hamel, JF, Pe, M., Coens, C., Martinelli, F., Eggermont, A.M., Brandberg, Y., Bottomley, A. (2016) A systematic review examining factors influencing health related quality of life among melanoma cancer survivors. European Journal of Cancer. 69,189-198.
Hess, C. B., & Chen, A. M. (2014). Measuring psychosocial functioning in the radiation oncology clinic: a systematic review. PsychoOncology, 23(8), 841-854.
Ho, S. M., Fung, W. K., Chan, C. L., Watson, M., & Tsui, Y. K. (2003). Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MINI-MAC) scale. Psycho- Oncology, 12(6), 547-556. 29.
Ikeda, A., Kawachi, I., Iso, H., Iwasaki, M., Inoue, M., & Tsugane, S. (2013). Social support and cancer incidence and mortality: the JPHC study cohort II. Cancer Causes & Control, 24(5), 847-860.
Johansson, M., Rydén, A., & Finizia, C. (2011). Mental adjustment to cancer and its relation to anxiety, depression, HRQL and survival in patients with laryngeal cancer - A longitudinal study. BMC Cancer, 11, 283.
Kaliampos, A., Roussi, P. (2017). Religious beliefs, coping, and psychological well-being among Greek cancer patients. Journal of Health Psychology, 22(6),754-764.
Kawa, M. H.(2017) Influence of perceived social support and meaning in life on fighting spirit: A study of cancer patients. International Journal of Advanced Educational Research 2; (6); 86-93
Kim, J., Han, J. Y., Shaw, B., McTavish, F., & Gustafson, D. (2010). The roles of social support and coping strategies in predicting breast cancer patients’ emotional well-being: testing mediation and moderation models. Journal of health psychology, 15(4), 543-552.
Koyama, A., Matsuoka, H., Ohtake, Y., Makimura, C., Sakai, K., Sakamoto, R., & Murata, M. (2016). Gender differences in cancer-related distress in Japan: a retrospective observation study. BioPsychoSocial medicine, 10(1), 10.
Kvillemo, P., & Bränström, R. (2014). Coping with breast cancer: a meta-analysis. PLoS One, 9(11), e112733.
Langford, D. J., Cooper, B., Paul, S., Humphreys, J., Keagy, C., Conley, Y. P., ... & Miaskowski, C. (2017). Evaluation of coping as a mediator of the relationship between stressful life events and cancer-related distress. Health Psychology, 36(12), 1147.
Langher V., Caputo A., Martino G., (2017) What happened to the clinical approach to case study in psychological research? A clinical psychological analysis of scientific articles in high impact-factor journals. Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology, 5(3).
Liao, Y. C., Shun, S. C., Liao, W. Y., Yu, C. J., Yang, P. C., & Lai, Y. H. (2014). Quality of life and related factors in patients with newly diagnosed advanced lung cancer: a longitudinal study. In Oncology nursing forum. 41(2).
Linden, W., Vodermaier, A., MacKenzie, R., & Greig, D. (2012). Anxiety and depression after cancer diagnosis: prevalence rates by cancer type, gender, and age. Journal of affective disorders, 141(2-3), 343-351.
Manne, S. L., Glassman, M., & Du Hamel, K. (2001). Intrusion, avoidance, and psychological distress among individuals with cancer. Psychosomatic Medicine, 63(4), 658-667.
Martino, G., Catalano, A., Bellone, F., (…), Nicocia G., Morabito N. (2018a) Quality of life in postmenopausal women: which role for vitamin D?. Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology, 6(1).
Matsushita, T., Matsushima, E., & Maruyama, M. (2005). Psychological state, quality of life, and coping style in patients with digestive cancer. General hospital psychiatry, 27(2), 125-132.
McKiernan, A., Steggles, S., Carr, A. (2013). Understanding how people cope with cancer. Irish Psychologist, 39 (8), 218-223. Available from: http://www.psychologicalsociety.ie/page/download_list/IP
Merlo E.M. (2016). Responsibility and hope. Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology 4(2), 1-3.
Monzani, D., Steca, P., Greco, A., D’Addario, M., Cappelletti, E., & Pancani, L. (2015). The situational version of the Brief COPE: Dimensionality and relationships with goal-related variables. Europe's journal of psychology, 11(2), 295.
Nausheen, B., Gidron, Y., Peveler, R., & Moss-Morris, R. (2009). Social support and cancer progression: a systematic review. Journal of psychosomatic research, 67(5), 403-415.
O’Brien CW, Moorey S. Outlook and adaptation in advanced cancer: a systematic review. Psychooncology. 2010;19(12):1239–1249.
Parker, P. A., Baile, W. F., Moor, C. D., & Cohen, L. (2003). Psychosocial and demographic predictors of quality of life in a large sample of cancer patients. Psycho‐Oncology: Journal of the Psychological, Social and Behavioral Dimensions of Cancer, 12(2), 183-193.
PDQ Supportive and Palliative Care Editorial Board (2017). Adjustment to Cancer: Anxiety and Distress (PDQ®): Health Professional Version. 2017 Jan 13. In: PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002-. Available from: https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.proxy.lib.mcw.edu/books/NBK65960/
Peters, E., Mendoza Schulz, L., & Reuss-Borst, M. (2016). Quality of life after cancer-How the extent of impairment is influenced by patient characteristics. BMC cancer, 16(1), 787.
Pinquart, M., & Duberstein, P. R. (2010). Associations of social networks with cancer mortality: a meta-analysis. Critical reviews in oncology/hematology, 75(2), 122-137.
Roesch, S.C., Adams, L., Hines, A., Palmores, A., Vyas, P., Tran, C, Pekin , S., Vaughn,A.A.. (2005). Coping with prostate cancer: a meta-analytic review. J Behav Med.;28(3):281-93.
Roets, E., Tukanova, K., Govarts, A., & Specenier, P. (2018). Quality of life in oropharyngeal cancer: a structured review of the literature. Supportive Care in Cancer, 1-8.
Sales, P. M. G., Carvalho, A. F., McIntyre, R. S., Pavlidis, N. & Hyphantis, T. N. (2014) Psychosocial predictors of health outcomes in colorectal cancer: A comprehensive review. Cancer Treatment Reviews. 40, 800–809.
Schroevers, M. J., Kraaij, V., & Garnefski, N. (2011). Cancer patients' experience of positive and negative changes due to the illness: relationships with psychological well‐being, coping, and goal reengagement. Psycho‐Oncology, 20(2), 165-172.
Shapiro, J. P., McCue, K., Heyman, E. N., Dey, T., & Haller, H. S. (2010). Coping-related variables associated with individual differences in adjustment to cancer. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 28(1), 1-22.
Shin, D. W., Shin, J., Kim, S. Y., Yang, H. K., Cho, J., Youm, J. H., ... & Park, J. H. (2016). Family avoidance of communication about cancer: a dyadic examination. Cancer research and treatment: official journal of Korean Cancer Association, 48(1), 384.
Somasundaram, R.O., Devamani, K.A.(2016). A Comparative Study on Resilience, Perceived Social Support and Hopelessness Among Cancer Patients Treated with Curative and Palliative Care. Indian J Palliat Care. 22(2):135-40.
Svensson, E., Christiansen, C.F., Ulrichsen, S.P., Rørth, M.R., Sørensen. H.T. (2017). Survival after bone metastasis by primary cancer type: a Danish population-based cohort study. BMJ;7:e016022.
Tarakeshwar, N., Vanderwerker, L. C., Paulk, E., Pearce, M. J., Kasl, S. V., & Prigerson, H. G. (2006). Religious coping is associated with the quality of life of patients with advanced cancer. Journal of palliative medicine, 9(3), 646-57.
Vos, M. S. & de Haes, J. C. J. M. Denial in cancer patients, an explorative review. Psychooncology. 16, 12–25 (2007).
Waldmann, A., Fritzkuleit, R., Raspe, H., & Katalinic, A. (2007). The OVIS study: Health related quality of life measured by the EORTC QLQ-C30 and –BR23 in German female patients with breast cancer from Schleswig-Holstein. Quality of Life Research, 16, 767–776.
Wang, Tu, Liu, Yeh, & Hsu, (2013). Mental adjustment at different phases in breast cancer trajectory: re-examination of factor structure of the Mini-MAC and its correlation with distress. Psychooncology. 22(4):768-74.
Warchala, A., Wojtyna, E. & Krysta, K. (2015). Mental state and its psychophysical conditions in patients with acute leukaemia treated with bone marrow transplantation. Psychiatria Danubina. 27, S415–S422 .
Yağmur Y, Duman M. (2016) The relationship between the social support level perceived by patients with gynecologic cancer and mental adjustment to cancer. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics 134 (2): 208-211.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6092/2282-1619/2019.7.1983
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.