Factors Influencing Coping Strategies of Women with Advanced Gynecological Cancer: A Secondary Analysis.

Background: Women with advanced gynecological cancer experience both physical and emotional suffering. In response to these challenges, they adopt various coping strategies. Identifying the factors that influence these strategies is essential, as certain coping mechanisms have a significant impact on improving their quality of life.

Purpose: This study explored the associations between demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, uncertainty, and coping strategies among women with advanced gynecological cancer based on the Stress Adaptation Model by Stuart.

Patients and methods: Secondary data analysis was completed on the survey responses of 143 women with gynecological cancer in stage III or stage IV of an original 165 respondents.

Results: The three most used coping strategies were acceptance (M = 6.24, SD = 1.22), positive reframing (M = 6.16, SD = 1.76), and self-distraction (M = 5.98, SD = 1.91), and the least used coping strategy was substance use (M = 2.03, SD = 0.33). Modifiable variables influencing the 14 coping strategies were education and subjective economic level. Non-modifiable variables influencing the 14 coping strategies were age, treatment experience, comorbidity, and lymphedema. The factor associated with all three groups of coping strategies (problem-focused, active emotional, and avoidant emotional) was uncertainty.

Conclusion: Women with advanced gynecological cancer utilized different coping strategies depending on their demographic and clinical characteristics as well as their level of uncertainty. Identifying factors associated with coping strategies used by women with advanced gynecological cancer can lead to interventions that assist them in using adaptive coping strategies.