Symptom distresses and coping strategies in breast cancer women with mastectomy

The purpose of this descriptive cross-sectional survey was to understand the correlation between symptom distresses and coping strategies in female victims of breast cancer with in two years of their undergoing a mastectomy. The instruments used in this study were the Physical Symptoms Scale, short form of Profile of Mood states (POMS-SF), Social Function Distress Questionnaire, Jalowiec Coping scale (JCS), and demographic data. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistic, t-test, one-way ANOVA, post Scheffe test and Pearson product-moment correlation. The essential results are summarized as follows. Degrees of biopsychosocial distresses varied from none to mild. Physical symptom distress, psychological distress, and social function distress were positively correlated. When patients were confronted with symptom distresses, they tended to adopt problem-focused coping strategies. The more problem-focused coping strategies, they used the less symptom distresses they experienced. The results of this study could be used to help to develop nursing interventions and efficient coping strategies. Patient may then be able to use the latter to solve symptom distresses and enhance their quality of life.