Predicting posttraumatic growth based on coping strategies in women and men involving with advanced cancer

Abstract

Background: Lots of research has been dedicated to negative consequences of cancer, but few probably studied personal growth and self-enhancement and its related variables after experiencing this disease. The aim of this research was to predict posttraumatic growth based on coping strategies and gender in patients with cancer. Methods: Using a correlational method and a questionnaire tool, 120 patients (65 females and 55 males, mean age 47±14.72) were selected among hospitalized patients in Firouzgar, Ayatollah Taleghani and Rasoul Akram hospitals in Tehran. They completed post traumatic growth inventory (PTGI) and coping responses inventory (CRI). Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, correlation tests and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis by SPSS version 20. Results: Findings indicated that among problem-oriented coping strategies, cognitive assessment and seeking social support explains 53% of PTG changes (P < 0.001). However, emotion-oriented strategies, including emotional inhibition and somatic inhibition, had no significant relation with PTG. The regression model also revealed that more use of problem-oriented strategies can predict more PTG rate. The results of the t-test showed that there was no significant difference between men and women regarding the PTG score and coping strategies application (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Results showed that problem-oriented strategies especially re-evaluation can support the patients to strive to reconceptualize their experience and make it easier to deal with. In this regard, clinical interventions such as training problemfocused coping skills and facilitating measures to provide social support may also be helpful.