Coping strategies and psychosocial resources among women living with metastatic breast cancer: A qualitative study

Abstract

Objective: Despite more women living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), this population is underrepresented in cancer survivorship research. Few studies have assessed how women with MBC cope with their cancer experience. This qualitative study describes the coping strategies and psychosocial resources utilized by women living with MBC.Methods: Twenty-two women with MBC participated in four focus groups. Transcripts were analyzed using a general inductive approach. Codes derived from participants’ responses were subsequently condensed into themes.Results: We identified 12 coping strategies and psychosocial resources and grouped them into five themes: Behavioral Coping Strategies (i.e. stress management, active coping and planning); Cognitive Coping Strategies and Psychological Resources (i.e. cognitive reappraisal, optimism, mindfulness, positive thinking, and religious coping); Existential Approach-Oriented Coping (i.e. acceptance, values-based living, and identity integration); Avoidance (i.e. avoidant coping); and Interpersonal Resources and Seeking Social Support (i.e. social support).Conclusions: Women living with MBC utilize several engagement and disengagement coping strategies, as well as intrapersonal and interpersonal resources. This study provides useful perspectives of women living with MBC that may inform the development of psychosocial interventions. Further research is needed to assess coping strategies and psychosocial resources across different subgroups of MBC patients and determine their impact on cancer outcomes.

Keywords:

• Breast cancer
• coping strategies
• metastasis
• psychological adaptation
• survivorship

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their deepest gratitude to the women who participated in this research.

Author contributions

All authors contributed to this research and article. Conceptualization: P. I. Moreno, B. Noriega Esquives, E. A. Walsh, J. L. Thomas, and F. J. Penedo. Investigation: P. I. Moreno, J. L. Thomas, F. S. Horner, J. B. Torzewski, W. J. Gradishar, D. E. Victorson, and F. J. Penedo. Methodology: P. I. Moreno and F. J. Penedo. Data curation: P. I. Moreno, B. N. Esquives, J. L. Thomas, and F. S. Horner. Formal analysis: P. I. Moreno, B. Noriega Esquives, and E. A. Walsh. Validation: P. I. Moreno, B. Noriega Esquives, and E. A. Walsh. Writing-original draft: B. Noriega Esquives, P. I. Moreno, and E. A. Walsh. Writing-review and editing: B. Noriega Esquives, P. I. Moreno, E. A. Walsh, J. L. Thomas, F. S. Horner, J. B. Torzewski, W. J. Gradishar, D. E. Victorson, and F. J. Penedo.

Disclosure statement

Authors certify there are no competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

The data supporting this study’s findings are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

Patricia I. Moreno was supported by an Institutional Research Grant (IRG-18-163-24) from the American Cancer Society, a National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities diversity supplement (R01MD010440), and a National Cancer Institute (NCI) career development award (K01CA258955). Dr. Noriega Esquives was supported by an NCI training grant (T32, 5T32CA251064-03, MPIs: Penedo F.J. & Kobetz, E.).