THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL COPING, SOCIAL SUPPORTAND QUALITY OF LIFE OF ONCOLOGICAL PATIENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract

The severity of the consequences of the disease, but also the possible side effects of the treatment make cancer diagnosis one of the most difficult life experiences. Because according to the stress and coping model the relationship between the stressor and the consequences is mediated by the actions taken in response, the present research aims to study the relationship between active coping, avoiding coping, social support and quality of life of oncological patients. To this end, a literature review was conducted which included cross-sectional studies dedicated to oncology patients, published in peer-review journals in the PsycInfo and Medline databases between 2000-2018. The analyzed studies revealed the existence of a positive association between active coping, social support and the quality of global, emotional, physical, functional and social / family life. Also, the existence of a negative relationship between the avoidant coping and the quality of the emotional, physical, functional and social / family life of the oncological patients was highlighted. The conclusion of this paper argues for the need to define interventions aimed at developing active coping strategies and increasing social support for cancer patients.