Stress and coping strategies for women diagnosed with breast cancer: A transversal study

Abstract

Aim: To verify the occurrence of stressful situations and the use of methods to deal/cope with such by women diagnosed with breast cancer. Method: Transversal study of 21 women, based on Lipp's Inventory of Stress Symptoms in Adults instrument (ISSL, in Portuguese) and the Scale on Ways to Deal with Problems (EMEP, in Portuguese). Results: The presence of stress was seen in 66.7% of the women. Religious practice was the most-used coping strategy seen in the sample (52.4%), especially in the group in which stress was observed. In the no-stress group, the main coping technique was to focus on the problem (23.7%). Discussion: While dealing with the disease by focusing on the problem, women seemed not to feel stressed. Conclusion: The situations of stress provoked by breast cancer require that the patients adapt and cope with it. In terms of the research, so far, nursing staff must act to mediate the most adaptive responses to the situation created by the illness.