Cancer patients: coping strategies, social network and social support

Authors

  • Jeanny Joana Rodrigues Alves de Santana Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto
  • Carla Rodrigues Zanin Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto
  • José Victor Maniglia Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-863X2008000200013

Keywords:

Head and neck neoplasms, Social networks, Social support, Coping behavior

Abstract

This study assessed coping strategies, social network and support in patients, with head and neck cancer, treated in a hospital in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The 22 participants completed a Social Demographic Questionnaire Inquiring on Life Style, Clinical File, the Escala Modos de Enfrentamento de Problemas (EMEP) (Ways of Coping with Problems Scale) with Measures of Social Network and Support. The least used coping strategies were emotion focused-coping (M: 2,08, SD: 0.63) and search for social support (M: 2.62, SD: 0.80), participants had a large network with low level of intimacy, the general average score for social support was low (M: 71, SD: 10). The main correlations found in the study were emotional support and information (r=0.785, p<0.01), and problem-focused coping and religion (r=0.579, p<0.05). Factorial analysis identified interactions between certain coping strategies and social support. Implications for psychological practice aimed to improve adjustment to health stressors and social support are discussed.

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Published

2008-01-01

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 40 (2008)

Section

Empirical Research

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How to Cite

Santana, J. J. R. A. de, Zanin, C. R., & Maniglia, J. V. (2008). Cancer patients: coping strategies, social network and social support . Paidéia (Ribeirão Preto), 18(40), 371-384. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-863X2008000200013