Coping Strategies as Determinant of Psychological Distress Among Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

There has been a lot of research in the past decade on the coping strategies used by breast cancer patients in the west. However, in developing countries, the research work in this context is yet to be established, especially in Pakistan. Breast cancer is one of the most common female malignancies in Pakistan (Burgri et al., 2006), with approximately 90,000 cases yearly (Pink Ribbon Campaign, 2004). The disease has various physical and psychological implications. In such circumstances, a patient’s coping strategies can play a crucial role in determining their overall mental health and specifically the level of psychological distress experienced by them. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the nature of relationship between coping strategies and psychological distress among breast cancer patients in terms of its strength and predictability. For the purpose of this study a quantitative research approach was employed and a sample of 100 female breast cancer patients was taken between the ages of 30 and 60 years, with a mean age of 46.72 years. The participants mostly belonged to the middle class with at least matriculation level of education. Data collection was done using a consent form, demographic information form, Brief COPE Urdu version (Riaz & Agha, 2012) and General Health Questionnaire-28 Urdu version (Riaz & Raza, 1998). It was hypothesized that there would be a significant relationship between coping strategies and psychological distress and that coping strategies would predict the level of sychological distress. Findings of the present study indicated a weak negative, non significant correlation between problem-focused coping strategies and psychological distress (r= -.150, p>0.05). Analysis revealed a weak positive, significant relationship (r= .233, p<0.05) between emotion-focused coping strategies and psychological distress. Furthermore, predictive value of the independent variable of coping strategies for dependent variable of psychological distress was also found to be significant (R2= .117, p<0.05). Significant implications of the current study include the development of a modified theoretical framework for conceptualizing stress, coping and its impact on psychological distress in the context of breast cancer, giving a deeper insight into the coping mechanisms of breast cancer patients. Recommendations for future research have been discussed focusing on the sample and measures that can be broadened to achieve higher generalizability and deeper understanding of the relationship between the two variables.