Coping strategies and psychological distress in postoperative recovery: A repeated-measures study in women undergoing breast-conserving surgery Journal Article

   

Authors:	Majumdar, J. R.; Barton-Burke, M.; Gilliland, J. L.; Jairath, N. N.
Article Title:	Coping strategies and psychological distress in postoperative recovery: A repeated-measures study in women undergoing breast-conserving surgery
Abstract:	Objective: Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is the standard treatment for early-stage breast cancer, yet patients often experience significant psychological distress and physical symptoms during recovery. This study aimed to explore the relationships between antecedents, physical symptoms (pain and nausea), psychological distress, and coping strategies utilized by women recovering from BCS to improve management of postoperative challenges. Methods: This repeated-measures descriptive study involved 75 women who underwent BCS with sentinel lymph node biopsy at a National Cancer Institute-designated center. Participants completed the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Thermometer and Ways of Coping Instrument on Postoperative Day 1 (POD1) and POD14. Bivariate analyses, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modeling were conducted to evaluate associations between antecedents, coping strategies, and distress. Open-ended responses were qualitatively analyzed for thematic content. Results: Seeking social support (POD1 mean ​= ​1.25; POD14 mean ​= ​1.20) and planful problem-solving (POD1 mean ​= ​1.19; POD14 mean ​= ​1.04) were the most frequently used coping strategies, while accepting responsibility and confrontive coping were least utilized. Overall coping strategy use decreased between POD1 and POD14, likely reflecting recovery adaptation. Significant predictors of distress included escape-avoidance coping (β ​= ​0.415, P ​< ​0.001), social support (β ​= ​0.270, P ​= ​0.02), history of nausea (β ​= ​0.517, P ​< ​0.001), and age (β ​= ​0.293, P ​= ​0.007). Coping strategies did not mediate the relationship between antecedents and distress. Conclusions: Adaptive coping strategies such as social support and planful problem-solving play a critical role in mitigating distress during BCS recovery. Interventions should emphasize fostering these strategies and addressing high-risk groups, such as younger patients and those with a history of nausea. Despite limitations, this study underscores the importance of supporting adaptive coping to improve postoperative outcomes and provides a basis for future research. © 2025 The Author(s)
Keywords:	stress; coping behavior; postoperative pain; psychological distress; breast neoplasms/surgery
Journal Title:	Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing
Volume:	12
ISSN:	2347-5625
Publisher:	Medknow Publications
Date Published:	2025-12-01
Start Page:	100674
Language:	English
DOI:	10.1016/j.apjon.2025.100674
PROVIDER:	scopus
PMCID:	PMC11946355
PUBMED:	40151461
DOI/URL:	https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-86000608162&doi=10.1016%2fj.apjon.2025.100674&partnerID=40&md5=1489158147a12699397f05f2d799dda6
Notes:	Article -- MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) acknowledged in PDF -- MSK corresponding author is Jennifer Majumdar -- Source: Scopus

https://synapse.mskcc.org/synapse/works/has_related_data_chk/223686