Africentric Coping, Adjustment and Quality Of Life among Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

The objective of the study was to examine Africentric coping, adjustment and quality of life among breast cancer patients. The study recruited 200 breast cancer patients using the purposive and convenience sampling methods. Participants were administered tests assessing coping, adjustment, quality of life and psychopathological symptoms. The findings revealed that breast cancer patients use cognitive methods in coping with breast cancer. However, the results showed that breast cancer patients expressed feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. The feelings of hopelessness and helplessness were associated with low quality of life and a high prevalence of psychopathological symptoms among the patients. Additionally, the stage of breast cancer were observed to have a significant influence on quality of life, adjustment and coping. A significant positive relationship was found between age of patients and the degree of psychological distress. A significant negative relationship was found between duration of illness and quality of life among breast cancer patients. In summary, this study found that most breast cancer patients used maladaptive strategies in adjusting to the condition. As a result they experienced low quality of life and an increased predisposition to psychological distress. The implications of these findings are discussed.