Coping to Alleviate Stress and Improve Quality of Life Among Breast Cancer Patients

Context: The intervening role coping plays between stress and quality of life may depend on the types of stress encountered and the types of coping strategies used. Objective: The present study investigated the relationship between stress, coping, and quality of life. Methods: Breast cancer patients recently diagnosed with recurrence (N=38) were assessed shortly after the diagnosis and 3 months later. P. Herschbach Questionnaire on Stress in Cancer Patients (QSC-R23) was used to assess the level of stress. QOL instrument was used to assess quality of life. The Brief COPE was used to assess frequency of engaging in 13 different coping strategies. Researcher taught the emotional coping strategies for all the participants after the pretest. Results: Statistical and clinical significance was found with coping to alleviate stress and improve quality of life among breast cancer patients. Conclusion: The findings imply that interventions teaching coping strategies would be important for patients experiencing high symptom stress and could be important for all patients.