Resilience and coping strategies in relation to mental health outcomes in people with cancer.

Patricia Macía,Ioseba Iraurgi,Susana Gorbeña,Mercedes Barranco,Esther Álvarez-Fuentes,Christophe Leroyer

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0252075

Patricia Macía, Ioseba Iraurgi + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252075

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Abstract

Considering the importance of psychological variables on health-related processes, this study investigated the role of resilience and coping strategies in relation to health. The aim of this research was to explore the underlying association between these aspects for the better understanding of the effect of psychosocial variables on mental health in cancer. This information could lead to the design of adapted psychological interventions in cancer. Participants with different diagnosis of cancer were recruited (N = 170). They came from the Spanish Association Against Cancer of Biscay. Resilience was measured with the 10 items Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, coping with the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and mental health was measured as a global indicator through the SF-12 and the GHQ-12. A structural equation model (SEM) was conducted to test the effects between the constructs. Results showed that resilience and coping were significantly associated. Results reflected an absence of significant correlation between adaptive and disadaptive coping strategies. Resilience was the factor that most correlated with health outcomes (β = –.45, p < .001). However, disadaptive coping strategies did not correlate with resilience or mental health indicators. Findings in this study underscore the positive contribution of high levels of resilience and an adaptive coping on participants´ level of health. Disadaptive coping strategies did not reflect any positive relation with resilience or health indicators. Thus, promoting resilience and adaptive coping could be a significant goal for psychosocial and educational interventions in people with cancer.

Highlights

The diagnosis and treatment of cancer are considered stressful life experiences that usually result in emotional disturbances [1, 2]
The results showed that psychological well-being was positively predicted by problem-focused coping and resilience, whereas emotion-focused coping had a negative influence on wellbeing
The aim of this study was precisely to analyse the relationship between resilience, coping strategies and health, conceiving health as a general component including aspects related to mental health outcomes and quality of life

Summary

Introduction

The diagnosis and treatment of cancer are considered stressful life experiences that usually result in emotional disturbances [1, 2]. The literature suggests that individuals have the capacity to cope and adapt to highly stressful situations [6]. In this sense, some resources such as coping strategies and seeking social support have been considered adequate means to face these types of events [7]. Emotion-focused coping attempts to regulate the emotional response to the problem, through methods like looking for support [9] These types of coping strategies usually involve different adaptive strategies that enable individuals to cope life situations, and that are used to the extent that they are more or less adaptive at any given time [10]. Disadaptive coping strategies are considered as more dysfunctional or negative [9]

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