Functional and Dysfunctional Coping Strategies in Patients Diagnosed with Cancer – From Initial Assessment to Therapeutic Interventions
Authors:   Department of Psychiatry, “Dr. Carol Davila” University Emergency Central Military Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, Vasiliu Octavian , Mangalagiu Andrei G. ,   Department of Psychiatry, “Dr. Carol Davila” University Emergency Central Military Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, Petrescu Bogdan M. ,   Department of Psychiatry, “Dr. Carol Davila” University Emergency Central Military Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, Cândea Cristian A. ,   Department of Psychiatry, “Dr. Carol Davila” University Emergency Central Military Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, Pleșa Cristina F. ,   Department of Neurology, “Dr. Carol Davila” University Emergency Central Military Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
“Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Bratu-Bizic Roxana E. ,   Department of Psychiatry, “Dr. Carol Davila” University Emergency Central Military Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, Făinărea Andreea F. ,   Department of Psychiatry, “Dr. Carol Davila” University Emergency Central Military Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, Pătrașcu Mihaela C. ,   Department of Psychiatry, “Dr. Carol Davila” University Emergency Central Military Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, Năstase Cristian ,   Department of Neurosurgery, “Dr. Carol Davila” University Emergency Central Military Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, Sirbu Carmen A. ,   Department of Neurology, “Dr. Carol Davila” University Central Emergency Military Hospital, Bucharest, Romania “Dr. Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
Published: January 2024

The assessment of coping mechanisms in patients diagnosed with oncological diseases is essential for mental health
specialists, who have to design the most appropriate case management strategy for comorbid mood disorders, anxiety disorders,
adjustment disorders, and other psychiatric conditions that may be detected in this vulnerable population. The adequate
treatment of these disorders is important for the preservation of mental health status, quality of life, and overall functionality in
patients diagnosed with cancer. Coping mechanisms modulate the vulnerability toward psychiatric disorders, but they also have
an impact on treatment adherence, which is an important factor correlating with prognosis. Appraisal-focused, problem-focused,
emotion-focused, and occupation-focused coping represent the most well-defined strategies patients use when confronted with
a stressful life situation, like a diagnosis with potentially vital consequences. Maladaptive coping strategies may also be identified
in these patients, e.g., withdrawal from reality, including complete or partial denial of the disease, substance abuse, behavioral
addictions, refusal of the recommended treatment, etc. The psychotherapeutic approach in patients with oncological diseases
should include an initial evaluation of the coping strategies used either currently or in the past stressful conditions, an assessment
of all the psychosocial resources the patients have (e.,g., support group, professional insertion, hobbies), and screening for mood
and anxiety disorders that may have been triggered by the cancer diagnosis. Consequently, within the psychotherapeutic
framework, a trained specialist can enhance the role of adaptive coping strategies and highlight the disadvantages of
dysfunctional ones. This process may possess a favorable impact on treatment adherence, mental health status, and quality of
life in patients with cancer.