Coping with prostate cancer: a quantitative analysis using a new instrument, the centre for clinical excellence in urological research coping with cancer instrument1 1Additional information about the CCCI may be obtained from D. Ben-Tovim, Clinical Epidemiology and Health Outcomes Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia 5042, Australia

Dyadic effects of coping strategies on emotional state and quality of life in prostate cancer patients and their spouses

“…When patients are confronting the problem, seeking solutions, making efforts to obtain the sympathy of others, this reduces their anxiety and depressive symptoms and improves QoL. These results are in line with previous studies showing that a fighting spirit improves emotional state [45,46] and with the study conducted by Roesch et al [2] indicating that problemfocused coping increases positive affects and social functioning. Patients' problem-focused coping or social support-seeking is associated with a decrease in anxiety and depression in spouses.…”

Quality of life of men treated for localized prostate cancer: outcomes at 6 and 12 months

“…Use of physiological efficacy information was positively related to QOL supporting Loscalzo's [16] assertion that men value meaningful focused activity. In a previous study of coping strategies used by prostate cancer patients, positive problem solving was associated with better overall QOL and lower levels of depression [3].…”

The experiences of unpartnered men with prostate cancer: a qualitative analysis

“…Coping is also essential in regulating emotions and problem solving and given the contextual role of coping, unpartnered men, in particular those men who lack social support, may be at the highest risk for ineffective coping and its associated morbidity. Ben-Tovim et al [20] supported the role of positive attitudes in coping with prostate cancer in their study of 80 prostate cancer patients. The researchers determined that positive problem solving, self-reliance, emotional availability, distress (including brooding and self-pity), and solace account for over 54% of the variance in coping.…”

“…Participants in this study were traditionally classified as “unpartnered” yet, may have had family or friend who could have accompanied them to their doctor’s appointments, provide them with supportive care as they recovered from treatment, and acted as an advocate, if they chose. The literature supports that men and women experience cancer in different ways [18–20]. Despite their partnered status, most men who develop prostate cancer never attend a support group and they view information and advice from medical staff as more helpful than from family and friends [21].…”