Cancer and Survival: a Qualitative Study of Coping Strategies and Social Conditioning

  1. Gónzalez-Herrera, Antonio 3
  2. Pujol-Ribera, Enriqueta 4
  3. ESTEVA, Magdalena 5
  4. Ruiz-Marcos, Lorena 1
  5. March, Sebastià 2
  1. 1 Complutense University of Madrid: Universidad Complutense de Madrid
  2. 2 Cooperativa Applica
  3. 3 Instituto de Salud Carlos III
    info

    Instituto de Salud Carlos III

    Madrid, España

    ROR https://ror.org/00ca2c886

  4. 4 Idiap Research Institute
    info

    Idiap Research Institute

    Martigny-Combe, Suiza

    ROR https://ror.org/05932h694

  5. 5 Balearic Islands Health Services: Servei de Salut de les Illes Balears
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Revista:
[This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal] Depositado en ResearchSquare

Año de publicación: 2022

Tipo: Artículo

DOI: 10.21203/RS.3.RS-1199018/V1 GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openAcceso abierto editor

Resumen

ObjectiveThis study aims to identify coping strategies in patients with colorectal cancer, in particular the differences between coping strategies during the disease and throughout survival. It also aims to investigate the impact of social determinants on coping strategies and critically reflect on the influence of positive psychology.Methods Qualitative study with in-depth interviews of a purposive sample of 21 colorectal cancer survivors in Majorca (Spain), developed between 2017- 2019. Data was analysed using interpretive thematic analysis.ResultsWe observed different coping strategies during the stages of disease and survival. However, striving toward acceptance and adaptation when facing difficulties and uncertainty, predominate in both stages. Confrontational attitudes are also considered important, as well as encouraging positive rather than negative feelings, which are considered unhelpful and to be avoided.ConclusionsAlthough coping during illness and survival can be classified into common categories (problem and emotion-centred strategies), the challenges of these stages are faced differently. Age, gender and the cultural influence of positive psychology strongly influence both stages and strategies.