Coping with Breast Cancer: a Meta-analysis

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2014 Nov 26

PMID 25423095

Citations 56

Authors

Pia Kvillemo

Richard Branstrom

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to examine the associations between different types of coping and psychological well-being and physical health among women with breast cancer. A second aim was to explore the potential moderating influences of situational and measurement factors on the associations between coping and psychological well-being and physical health.

Methods: On 14 February 2011, a literature search was made for articles published in the PubMed and PsycINFO databases before January 2010. On 5 September 2013, a repeated literature search was made for articles published before May 2013. In the final analyses, 78 studies with 11 948 participants were included.

Results: Efforts to facilitate adaptation to stress, such as Acceptance and Positive Reappraisal, were related to higher well-being and health. Disengagement and avoidance types of coping were associated with lower well-being and health. The analyses indicated that, in several circumstances, coping effectiveness was dependent on cancer stage, treatment, disease duration, and type of coping measure.

Conclusions: Use of coping targeting adjustment and avoiding use of disengagement forms of coping were related to better psychological well-being and physical health. Adaptive strategies and avoiding disengagement forms of coping seemed particularly beneficial for women undergoing treatment.

Citing Articles

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Heidkamp P, Hiltrop K, Breidenbach C, Kowalski C, Pfaff H, Geiser F BMC Womens Health. 2024; 24(1):183.

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