Coping strategies and emotional distress in women with inconclusive results in screening mammography
Abstract
Objetive: The aims of this research are to study the coping strategies in women with doubtful results after mammography screening for breast cancer who require repeat testing at 6 months, and analyse the predictive value of coping strategies for anxiety and depression at both times of measurement.
Methodology: One hundred and five women (mean age=59.9 años, Sx=6.02) with BI-RADS 3 findings in a mammography screening were evaluated in coping (COPE), anxiety and depression (HADS), and 72 of these women were assessed at 6 months after a follow-up mammogram.
Conclusions: Coping strategies most used were the active and problem-focused, and the avoidant strategies were the least used. In the second measurement time decreased the use of active coping (p=0.000), planning (p=0.002), positive reinterpretation and growth (p=0.03) and refrain coping (p=0.029). Anxiety and depression were normal in both assessments. Coping strategies problem-focused are more beneficial than emotion-focused, although the correlations between coping and anxiety/depression are modest. Screening mammography does not cause distress and requires few coping resources for participants. Campaigns for breast cancer screening should emphasize these results.
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