A Study of Coping, Psychological Distress and Subjective Wellbeing among Breast Cancer Women

Abstract

Breast cancer among women is associated with a large number of psychological problems. The women suffering from breast cancer underwent severe psychological distress, use various coping mechanisms to improve their overall quality of life. The present investigation was planned to study psychological distress, coping resources and subjective well-being among breast cancer women in comparison to normal women. The sample for the study consisted of 200 women (100 Breast cancer and 100 normal). The sample was assessed with Subjective Wellbeing Inventory, Coping Resources Index, and General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Data were processed for Discriminant Analysis. When compared, results clearly demonstrated poor subjective well-being, high level of psychological distress, and inappropriate coping among breast cancer women as compared to their normal counterparts. Discriminant Analysis clearly revealed a linear combination of five aspects of subjective well-being which account for considerable degree of variation between breast cancer and normal women groups.