Coping with Stress in Neoplastic Diseases

Dominik Olejniczak, Paulina Mularczyk-Tomczewska (), Krzysztof Klimiuk, Agata Olearczyk, Aleksandra Kielan, Anna Staniszewska and Karolina Osowiecka
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Dominik Olejniczak: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warszawa, Poland
Paulina Mularczyk-Tomczewska: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warszawa, Poland
Krzysztof Klimiuk: Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
Agata Olearczyk: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warszawa, Poland
Aleksandra Kielan: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warszawa, Poland
Anna Staniszewska: Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warszawa, Poland
Karolina Osowiecka: Department of Psychology and Sociology of Health and Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-10

Abstract: Introduction: Disease-related stress is a common phenomenon. It also occurs in neoplastic diseases. Since physical and mental health are interrelated, it is important to make sure that treatment covers these two areas. Therefore, it is essential to learn how patients with neoplastic diseases can cope with stress. Materials and Methods: The respondents are 306 patients suffering from neoplastic diseases, associated in patient advocacy groups. The method is the Brief-COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced) questionnaire. Results: The following stress management strategies were most commonly adopted by the patients: acceptance (median 2.25; 25–75% IQR 2.0–3.0), active coping (median 2.0; 25–75% IQR (interquartile range) 1.5–2.0), planning (median 2.0; 25–75% IQR 2.0–2.0), emotional support (median 2.0; 25–75% IQR 1.5–2.0), instrumental support (median 2.0; 25–75% IQR 2.0–2.0), self-distraction (median 2.0; 25–75% IQR 1.5–3.0), and venting (median 2.0; 25–75% IQR 1.5–3.0). A decision to adopt a particular stress management strategy by patients with neoplastic diseases was highly affected by demographic factors ( p < 0.05), such as sex, education, age, place of residence and employment. Conclusions: Teaching stress management strategies should be a part of the education process among patients with neoplastic diseases. Before or in the course of treatment, an oncology patient should be educated on the prevention of mental health disorders. The ability to cope with stress is one of the key competences for the course of neoplastic diseases and it can affect the treatment process. Stress management in chronic diseases, including neoplastic diseases, should be approached not only at the level of an individual person but also at the level of the health system as a whole.

Keywords: neoplastic disease; chronic disease; stress; quality of life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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