TY - JOUR
T1 - Gender differences in the use of engagement and disengagement coping strategies in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy
AU - Oppegaard, Kate R.
AU - Dunn, Laura B.
AU - Kober, Kord M.
AU - Mackin, Lynda
AU - Hammer, Marilyn J.
AU - Conley, Yvette P.
AU - Levine, Jon David
AU - Miaskowski, Christine
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute (CA134900). Miaskowski is an American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor. Oppegaard was supported by grants from the Hartford Foundation and the Oncology Nursing Foundation. Dunn is a consultant for Otsuka America Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Funding Information:
School of Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF); Laura B. Dunn, MD, is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University in California; Kord M. Kober, PhD, is an assistant professor and Lynda Mackin, RN, PhD, is a clinical professor, both in the School of Nursing at UCSF; Marilyn J. Hammer, PhD, RN, FAAN, is the director of the Phyllis F. Cantor Center for Research in Nursing and Patient Care Services at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA; Yvette P. Conley, PhD, is a professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania; and Jon David Levine, MD, PhD, is a professor in the School of Medicine and Christine Miaskowski, RN, PhD, is a professor and vice chair for research in the Department of Physiological Nursing, both at UCSF. Miaskowski can be reached at [email protected], with copy to [email protected]. (Submitted January 2020. Accepted March 9, 2020.) This study was supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute (CA134900). Miaskowski is an American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor. Oppegaard was supported by grants from the Hartford Foundation and the Oncology Nursing Foundation. Dunn is a consultant for Otsuka America Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Oncology Nursing Society. All rights reserved.
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between gender and coping strategies in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy in outpatient settings. SAMPLE & SETTING: Women (N = 277) and men (N = 293) were recruited from two comprehensive cancer centers, one Veterans Affairs hospital, and four community-based oncology programs. METHODS & VARIABLES: Coping data were obtained from patients with gastrointestinal (n = 412) or lung (n = 158) cancer through the Brief COPE scale. RESULTS: In terms of engagement coping strategies, women reported higher scores for positive reframing, religion, and using instrumental support. Men reported higher scores for humor. In terms of disengagement coping strategies, women reported higher scores for denial, venting, and self-distraction. Men reported higher scores for substance use. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Gender-based stereotypes of emotional expectations may affect how patients express themselves and the ways in which support is offered. Clinicians should be aware of their own preconceived notions about sex and gender and reflect on how these may influence the psychosocial care they provide.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between gender and coping strategies in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy in outpatient settings. SAMPLE & SETTING: Women (N = 277) and men (N = 293) were recruited from two comprehensive cancer centers, one Veterans Affairs hospital, and four community-based oncology programs. METHODS & VARIABLES: Coping data were obtained from patients with gastrointestinal (n = 412) or lung (n = 158) cancer through the Brief COPE scale. RESULTS: In terms of engagement coping strategies, women reported higher scores for positive reframing, religion, and using instrumental support. Men reported higher scores for humor. In terms of disengagement coping strategies, women reported higher scores for denial, venting, and self-distraction. Men reported higher scores for substance use. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Gender-based stereotypes of emotional expectations may affect how patients express themselves and the ways in which support is offered. Clinicians should be aware of their own preconceived notions about sex and gender and reflect on how these may influence the psychosocial care they provide.
KW - Cancer
KW - Chemotherapy
KW - Coping
KW - Disengagement strategies
KW - Engagement strategies
KW - Gender
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U2 - 10.1188/20.ONF.586-594
DO - 10.1188/20.ONF.586-594
M3 - Article
C2 - 32830804
AN - SCOPUS:85089794580
SN - 0190-535X
VL - 47
SP - 586
EP - 594
JO - Oncology nursing forum
JF - Oncology nursing forum
IS - 5
ER -