Coping with cancer.
Published
Journal Article
This study examined coping strategies in head and neck cancer patients. The relationships between the use of approach and avoidant coping strategies and the physical and emotional distress of 35 newly diagnosed head and neck cancer patients during the early stages of cancer treatment were evaluated. Patients were categorized on the basis of coping strategy at the time of diagnosis and then evaluated twice during the course of their treatment at four- to six-week intervals. Cancer patients who predominantly employed either approach or avoidant strategies had lower initial levels of emotional distress than patients who did not use either of these strategies. Although symptoms of distress decreased in patients using approach or avoidance, symptoms increased for those patients who did not use these strategies. The level of stress for this cancer population is highest at the point of confirmed diagnosis and recedes during the course of treatment. The theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Manuel, GM; Roth, S; Keefe, FJ; Brantley, BA
Published Date
- 1987
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 13 / 4
Start / End Page
- 149 - 158
PubMed ID
- 3448128
Pubmed Central ID
- 3448128
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0097-840X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1080/0097840X.1987.9936808
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States