Illness uncertainty, coping, and quality of life among patients with prostate cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Illness uncertainty is a significant source of psychological distress that affects cancer patients' quality of life (QOL). Mishel's uncertainty in illness theory (UIT) proposes that illness uncertainty influences an individual's use of coping strategies, and directly and indirectly influences their QOL. This study tested the relationships depicted in the adapted UIT in cancer patients.

Methods

This cross-sectional study is a secondary analysis of the baseline data from a randomized clinical trial (N = 263 prostate cancer patients). Patients were diagnosed with localized (64.6%), biochemical recurrent (12.6%), or advanced (22.8%) prostate cancer. Uncertainty, coping (avoidant and active coping strategies), and QOL (physical and mental well-being) were measured using

SUBMITTER: Guan T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7440775 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature