Coping with the onset of cancer: coping strategies and resources of young people with cancer

A chronic illness, such as cancer, causes permanent changes in a person's w ay of life and their way of adapting to changes. The purpose of this study was to describe the coping strategies and resources of adolescents and youn g adults with cancer. The data were collected by interviewing adolescents a nd young adults aged 16-22 (n = 14) who had had cancer for more than 2 mont hs and who came to a university hospital for treatment or control check ups . The interview material was analysed by content analysis. Emotion-focused, appraisal-focused and problem-focused coping strategies were used. The maj or coping strategies were social support, belief in recovery and getting ba ck to normal life as soon as possible. The subjects discussed with health c are providers their disease, its treatment and how they could cope with eve ryday Life as well as their energy and will-power to cope. The family was t he most important source of emotional support. Also, gaining knowledge abou t cancer and its treatment was a good coping strategy. Moreover, a positive life attitude, belief in one's own resources, belief in God, earlier life experiences and willingness to fight against the disease were resources for coping with cancer.