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Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 50 African American head and neck cancer survivors. Common coping strategies were identified and examined in relation with quality of life and relationship well-being. Coping through support from God, seeking emotional support from family and friends, and helping others were the most commonly used strategies. Having emotional support, being strong and self-reliant, and engaging in distracting activities with family and friends had strongest associations with quality of life. Coping through emotional support, help from God, assistance from one's church family to maintain religious practices, helping others, and engaging in distracting activities with others was more strongly associated with relationship well-being. Future intervention studies should consider these strategies and their possible impact on the physical, psychological, and relationship well-being of this population.
Acknowledgments
The studies in this report were funded in part by Grant R01 NR009271-04 from the National Institute of Nursing Research and National Center for Minority Health Disparities (J. Hamilton, Principal Investigator). J. Hamilton also acknowledges support from Grant 5P60-MD000525-01 from the National Center for Minority Health Disparities (O. W. Brawley, Principal Investigator), and the Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Scientist Program. This work would not have been possible without the contributions of individuals who helped with recruitment, data collection, and provided invaluable input into the development of the questionnaire. Special thanks go to Dr. Otis W. Brawley, Gregory Johnstone, Rodney Theodore, Grady's Cancer Center of Excellence, Emory University Clinics and Winship Cancer Institute.