Coping strategies and emotional distress in women with inconclusive results in screening mammography

• Main Authors: María del Carmen Cardenal Ciudad, Juan Antonio Cruzado
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Universidad Complutense de Madrid 2014-12-01
• Series: Psicooncologia
• Subjects: Cáncer de mama; cribado de cáncer de mama; estrategias de afrontamiento; ansiedad; depresión; malestar emocional.
• Online Access: http://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/PSIC/article/view/47389
• ISSN: 1696-7240; 1988-8287

<p><strong>Objetive</strong>: The aims of this research are to study the coping strategies in women with doubtful results after mammography screening for breast cancer who require repeat testing at 6 months, and analyse the predictive value of coping strategies for anxiety and depression at both times of measurement. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Methodology</strong>: One hundred and five women (mean age=59.9 años, Sx=6.02) with BI-RADS 3 findings in a mammography screening were evaluated in coping (COPE), anxiety and depression (HADS), and 72 of these women were assessed at 6 months after a follow-up mammogram. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Conclusions</strong>: Coping strategies most used were the active and problem-focused, and the avoidant strategies were the least used. In the second measurement time decreased the use of active coping (p=0.000), planning (p=0.002), positive reinterpretation and growth (p=0.03) and refrain coping (p=0.029). Anxiety and depression were normal in both assessments. Coping strategies problem-focused are more beneficial than emotion-focused, although the correlations between coping and anxiety/depression are modest. Screening mammography does not cause distress and requires few coping resources for participants. Campaigns for breast cancer screening should emphasize these results.</p>