Styles of coping with stress and the level of anxiety in patients with cancer

Aim of the studyThe experience of the disease is one of the most stressful events in human life. This results in the need to take action to solve a new, often very difficult, situation. The coping styles used by patients influence their activity, which in turn contributes to the course of the treatment process. The aim of this study is to present the results of studies that define the relationship between styles of coping with stress in patients with cancer and the level of anxiety experienced by them.Subject or material and methodsThe study included 55 patients hospitalized at the Oncology Center in Szczecin, including 28 women and 27 men. As research tools belong: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS).ResultsThe analysis showed differences between men and women in terms of applied coping styles and it was proven that there is a relationship between styles of coping with stress and the level of anxiety in patients with oncological diseases.DiscussionThe analysis results of the research, allows to conclude that there is a relationship between specific styles of coping with stress and the level of anxiety in patients with oncological diseases. It was confirmed that patients with cancer reveal a high level of anxiety and, moreover, that patients using an emotion-focused style present a higher level of anxiety than patients using a task-focused style or a style focused on avoidance.ConclusionsThe relationship between styles of coping with stress in patients with cancer and the level of anxiety experienced by them.