Coping and adjustment in men with prostate cancer: a systematic review of qualitative studies

• Published in: Journal of cancer survivorship 2018-04, Vol.12 (2), p.155-168
• Main Authors: Spendelow, Jason S., Eli Joubert, H., Lee, Haymond, Fairhurst, Bryony R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological - physiology; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cancer; Cancer Survivors - psychology; Cancer Survivors - statistics & numerical data; Cognition; Coping; Gender; Health Informatics; Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Humans; Male; Males; Masculinity; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Men; Middle Aged; Oncology; Primary Care Medicine; Prostate cancer; Prostatic Neoplasms - epidemiology; Prostatic Neoplasms - psychology; Prostatic Neoplasms - rehabilitation; Psychological factors; Public Health; Qualitative Research; Quality assessment; Quality control; Quality of Life Research; Review; Reviews; Sex roles; Social Adjustment; Studies; Systematic review; Well being; Withdrawal
• ISSN: 1932-2259; 1932-2267
• DOI: 10.1007/s11764-017-0654-8

Purpose Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common forms of cancer amongst males. Men’s coping responses are an important determinant of functioning and adjustment to this disease. Previous qualitative research exists in this area, but the current review sought to systematically review and summarise these studies. Methods A systematic review was conducted to identify studies concerned with men’s coping strategies in their attempts to live with PCa. A search of relevant electronic databases was conducted to identify studies that met inclusion criteria for this review. Methodological quality assessment was also undertaken for each included study. Results One hundred twenty-one publications were identified for initial screening, and 18 studies were included in the review. A total of five coping strategy categories or ‘meta-themes’ were identified across included studies. These categories were labelled ‘avoidance, minimisation, and withdrawal’, ‘directing cognition and attention’, ‘reframing masculinity and seeking support’, ‘retain pre-illness identity and lifestyle’, and ‘symptom/side-effect management’. Conclusions A range of coping strategies were reported by men with PCa. Some of these strategies appear to be partially influenced by gender roles and masculinities. Coping meta-themes reported in this review have also been found in other research on men’s coping. Strategies relating to flexible interpretation of gender roles/masculinities may be a particularly relevant category of coping responses due to the hypothesised beneficial impact of flexibility on psychological well-being. Implications for cancer survivors PCa survivors utilise a range of coping strategies, and the types of strategies used may have implications for men’s well-being. The ability to be flexible in both coping responses used, and in the view of oneself as a man may be particularly important skills in meeting the challenges associated with this disease.