Comparative Study
| Published:
November 22, 2017
A Study of Relationship between Hopelessness and Coping Strategies in Cancer Patients
ABSTRACT
Although cancer patients often experience hopelessness and other psychological problems, research on hopelessness and coping strategies is rare. The objectives of this study were to identify the levels of hopelessness experienced and the coping strategies used by breast, colorectal and stomach cancer patients.200 cancer patients (92 disfigured and 108 non-disfigured were included in the sample. Patients completed the sample survey packets comprising of Beck’s Hopelessness Scale (Beck, 1974) and Ways of Coping Questionnaire (Lazarus & Folkman, 1988). Majority of the cancer patients were in moderate level of hopelessness. Seeking social support coping strategy was used most often by the cancer patients and Confrontive coping strategy was used the least. Significant negative correlation existed between hopelessness and use of coping strategies viz. distancing, self-controlling, accepting responsibility, Planful problem solving and positive reappraisal. t-test revealed more hopelessness in disfigured group of cancer patients. t-test also revealed that self-controlling and positive reappraisal coping strategies were used less by disfigured group of cancer patients.
This is an Open Access Research distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits
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© 2017 Rizvi T
How to cite this article:
Rizvi T (2017). A Study of Relationship between Hopelessness and Coping Strategies in Cancer Patients. International Journal of Indian Psychology, Vol. 5, (1), DIP:18.01.044/20170501, DOI:10.25215/0501.044
Received:
June 24, 2017;
Revision Received:
October 29, 2017;
Accepted:
November 22, 2017
Published in
Volume 05, Issue 1, October-December, 2017