J Korean Acad Nurs.  2003 Aug;33(5):538-543.

The Comparison of the Stress and Coping Methods of Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers

• Kim HS

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the stress and the coping methodes in the cancer patients and their caregivers. MEHTOD: The stress method was measured by VAS(Visual Analogue Scale). The coping methodes was measured using the modified Ways of Coping Questionnaire. The phases of patient illness consisted of 1st(initial) stage, and 2nd(recurred) stage and 3rd(terminal) stage based on Lewandowski & Jones(1988) method. The data were collected by a survey of convenience sampling of 257 cancer patients and 196 of their caregivers from two hospitals in Seoul. The data were analyzed using paired t-test, unpaired t-test. RESULT: The stress level of cancer patients was lower than their caregivers. The cancer patients used emotion-focused coping mode than problem-focused coping mode. The caregivers problem-focused coping mode over emotion-focused coping mode. In the problem-focused coping mode, the caregivers significantly used two coping strategies that were 'positve cope', 'information seeking' more than patients. In emotion-focused coping mode, the caregivers significantly used one coping strategies that was 'wish' more than patients. The patients tended to used two coping strategies that were 'blame' and 'emotion expression' more than the caregivers. CONCLUSION: Further study needs to be done to positively identify these coping methods and develop interventions to assist patients and their caregivers.

Keyword

Stress; Coping; Cancer patient; Caregiver