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Psychological distress and coping strategies among women with incurable lung cancer: a qualitative study

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Abstract

Purpose

Limited research has focused on women with lung cancer (LC) although they are recognized as the most vulnerable to psychological distress. This study explored in-depth the psychological distress experienced by women with incurable LC and analyzed the coping strategies with which they manage that distress.

Methods

A qualitative methodology with in-depth interviews was employed for 34 women with advanced or recurrent LC. An inductive data-driven thematic analysis was applied to analyze transcripts.

Results

Psychological distress was an iterative process for the women. Four themes were identified: shock regarding the diagnosis, distress regarding cancer treatment and its side effects, the facing of a recurrent or progressive disease, and persistent struggle with the life-limiting disease. Various coping strategies applied by the women to manage psychological distress were grouped into four themes: relying upon social support, focusing on positive thoughts, avoidance-based strategies, and religious faith and acceptance.

Conclusions

Women with incurable LC experienced substantial iterative psychological distress throughout the illness, regardless of length of illness at time of interview. They applied multiple forms of coping. The findings enrich the limited existing literature on this understudied population and provide direction for the future development of interventions to improve their psychological well-being.

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Funding

This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology in Taiwan (NSC 102-2314-B-264-001-MY2).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nursing, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, 306, Yuanpei Street, Hsinchu, 30015, Taiwan

    Yu-Chien Liao

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Wei-Yu Liao & Chong-Jen Yu

  3. Department of Nursing, National Taichung University of Science and Technology, Taichung, Taiwan

    Jia-Ling Sun

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan

    Jen-Chung Ko

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  1. Yu-Chien Liao
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  2. Wei-Yu Liao
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Correspondence to Yu-Chien Liao.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Liao, YC., Liao, WY., Sun, JL. et al. Psychological distress and coping strategies among women with incurable lung cancer: a qualitative study. Support Care Cancer 26, 989–996 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3919-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3919-x

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