Survey Regarding Coping Strategies for Self-Perceived Burden among Patients with Advanced Cancer

Abstract

Objective: This study is intended to investigate 1) the self-perceived burden (SPB) among patients with advanced cancer who were receiving care from family members and 2) the relationship between SPB and coping strategies. Methods: A total of 150 patients with advanced cancer who were receiving care from family members were surveyed using a questionnaire. Both the relationship between SPB and the patients’ use of coping strategies and the relationship between SPB and participant characteristics were tested using the Mann-Whitney or χ² test. Results: Eighty-four patients completed questionnaires that were used for analysis. Many patients used various coping strategies to alleviate their SPB. Patients who practiced any 7 of the 12 types of coping strategies had stronger SPB. Patients who “made efforts to move autonomously” and “reflected on themselves and made modifications for improved methods” were in better physical shape. Most caregivers were women. A higher percentage of patients who “expressed their appreciation to their family in words” and “left decisions to be made by the family” were women. Conclusions: This study’s findings suggest the need to encourage efforts by patients to cope with SPB while also supporting them so that they can face their cancer together with their family.