The Impact of Coping Styles on Psychological Distress and Quality of Life in Korean Patients with Cancer

Abstract

Objectives: Styles of coping with cancer may affect psychological distress and quality of life in cancer patients. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of mental adjustment styles on distress such as anxiety and depression and various domains of quality of life in Korean cancer patients. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of 169 cancer patients (64 males, 105 females) completed the questionnaires. The Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer (Mini-MAC) scale was used to measure individual styles of coping with cancer. Distress and quality of life was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) scale. Results: Higher Anxious Preoccupation (AP) and Hopeless/Helplessness (HH) scores of the Mini-MAC were associated with more severe anxiety and depression symptoms measured using the HADS. AP was the most potent negative predictor for the Physical, Emotional, and Functional Well-Being measured by FACT-G. In addition, HH was found to show significant relation to poor quality of life over all domains of the FACT-G. Fighting Spirit positively predicted Functional Well-Being and overall quality of life (FACT-G total scores) and it negatively predicted depression. Conclusion: The current study showed that adjustment styles such as anxious preoccupation and hopelessness play a crucial role in psychological distress and quality of life in cancer patients. These findings indicate that assessment and intervention of styles of coping with cancer is essential for reducing distress and improving quality of life in patients with cancer.