'The Relationship Between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Coping Strategies among Patients with Cancer in Gaza Strip

Aim: The study aimed to examine the mental health status of the patients with cancer and the coping strategies that adopted by them in front of stressful situations.

Method: The sample consisted of 358 patients with cancer in the oncology clinic at Shifa Hospital in Gaza Strip. Participants were interviewed individually by questionnaire include socioeconomic questionnaire, PTSD scale, and Ways of coping Scale.

Results: The study showed that 42.5% of patients had PTSD, 47% had re-experiencing of PTSD, 40.5% had hyperarousal, and 40.1% had avoidance symptoms. The group of 40 years and less were significantly higher in reexperiences than 71 years and above among the study sample.

The results showed that affiliation at the highest rank (81.6%), followed by reinterpretation (75.5%), self-control coping strategy (75.3%), problem solving (72.3%), wish and avoidance thinking was (69.0%), trouble and escape was (61.8%), accountability coping strategy was (53.0%) among the study sample of patients with cancer. The result showed that there were no significant differences in sex of patients and wish and avoidance thinking, problem solving, reinterpretation, affiliation, accountability, and self-control. However, there were significant differences in trouble and escape in favor of male patients. There was positive significant correlation between wish and avoidance thinking and re-experience of PTSD. In addition, there were positive significant correlation between accountability and PTSD, re-experience of PTSD, avoidance of PTSD, hyper-arousal of PTSD. In addition, there were positive significant correlation between Trouble and escape and PTSD, re-experience of PTSD, avoidance of PTSD, hyper-arousal of PTSD. While; there were negative significant correlation between problem solving and PTSD, re-experience of PTSD, avoidance of PTSD, hyperarousal of PTSD. In addition, there were negative significant correlation between re-interpretation and PTSD, re-experience of PTSD, avoidance of PTSD, hyperarousal of PTSD. In addition, there were negative significant correlation between affiliation and PTSD, avoidance of PTSD, hyperarousal of PTSD. In addition, there were negative significant correlation between selfcontrol and PTSD, avoidance of PTSD, hyper-arousal of PTSD.

Clinical implications: Our findings highlight the need for therapeutic and educational programmes-including counseling for those patients with cancer and their families, support groups, and behavioural therapy for patients with P.T.S.D, and other psychiatric disorders. Also, new family therapy programmes must be established aimed at improving communications and interactions between family members, as well as teaching problemsolving skills to assist the family members in confronting the mental health problems associated with cancer.

Author(s): Al Jadili M and Thabet AA

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