The mutual determination of self-efficacy to cope with cancer and cancer-related coping over time: a prospective study in women with breast cancer

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Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal impact of self-efficacy to cope with cancer on the cancer-related coping reactions of breast cancer patients and vice versa. Design and main outcomes measures: Data from the BOUNCE Project (https://www.bounce-project.eu/) were used to address the hypotheses. Participants (N = 403) were enrolled in the study a few weeks after surgery or biopsy. Coping self-efficacy was assessed at baseline and six months later (M6). Cancer-related coping was assessed three (M3) and nine months (M9) after baseline. The analyses were performed using structural equation modeling with Mplus 8.6. Results: Baseline coping self-efficacy predicted all M3 coping reactions, while M6 coping self-efficacy also predicted changes in all but one M9 coping reaction. Moreover, one of the M3 coping reactions, that is, hopelessness/helplessness, predicted the changes in M6 coping self-efficacy. The relation between coping self-efficacy and one coping reaction (i.e. cognitive avoidance) was rather weak. Stability paths from M3 to M9 coping reactions were moderate to high. Conclusion: The relationship between self-efficacy to cope with cancer and cancer-related coping is complex. New theoretical models are needed to more accurately describe the diverse aspects of this association.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPsychology and Health
Early online date11 Feb 2022
DOIs
StatePublished Online - 11 Feb 2022

Keywords

  • BOUNCE
  • Breast cancer
  • adaptation to breast-cancer
  • coping
  • coping self-efficacy
  • self-efficacy

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Applied Psychology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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