The Coping Strategies of Cancer Survivors Experiencing Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

This study aims to determine the lived experiences, coping strategies, and significant behavioral changes of six cancer survivors showing symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Qualitative descriptive research design and snowball sampling were used in the study. The data was gathered through semi-structured in-depth interviews guided by the research instrument adapted from the Coping Strategies Inventory. Thematic coding was used through the transcription of interviews. Results show that physiological and psychological changes brought about by cancer lead to post-cancer behavioral changes. Based on the findings discussed, medical interventions and its side effects are the leading causes of the survivor’s stress development that allowed different coping strategies to gain ground, which includes religion, animated procrastination, avoidance, normalization, and reframing. Due to the memory retained during the illness, the survivors were shown to have psychological changes, recurrent flashbacks, lifestyle changes, and impaired social relations. It is highly recommended to expound the study further using different instruments and methods. In particular, conduct more researches on patients who have had cancer relapses, and it may also be viable to do the study to those who have beenclinically diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.