Psychological coping strategies and styles in patients treated at an oncology center in Barranquilla, Colombia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66615/g6ph6p12Keywords:
cancer; psychological coping; psychological adaptation; social support; anxiety; depressionAbstract
Introduction: Cancer is a highly stressful experience that affects emotional adaptation, quality of life, and psychological well-being in those who suffer from it. In this context, identifying coping strategies and styles is essential to guide timely psycho-oncological interventions. Objective: To describe coping strategies and psychological styles measured using the Stress Coping Questionnaire for Oncology Patients (CAEPO) in patients treated at an oncology center in Barranquilla, Colombia. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study with a descriptivecorrelational scope and non-probability convenience sampling was conducted. A total of 151 adults with a confirmed cancer diagnosis, treated between May and September 2024, participated. The CAEPO, composed of 40 items grouped into seven scales, was applied. Descriptive statistics, decatypes, predominant coping style, and Spearman correlations were calculated, with a significance level of p < .05. Results: Of the participants, 66.9% were women, and the most represented age groups were 60–69 years (32.5%) and 50–59 years (23.8%). A negative coping style was identified in 53.6% of participants, while 40.4% showed a positive style and 6.0% a neutral style. Adaptive scales showed higher mean scores, particularly Fighting Spirit (M = 22,22; SD = 3.74). Positive correlations were observed between ELA–ACE (ρ = .74) and APA–HD (ρ = .69). Conclusions: Negative coping predominated, although adaptive and maladaptive strategies coexisted. The CAEPO allowed the identification of psychological profiles useful for strengthening emotional support and clinical interventions in oncology patients
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