Interactive Patterns of Social Support and Individual Coping Strategies in Melanoma Patients and Their Correlations With Adjustment to Illness

Cultural Understanding of Health and Adjustment to Cardiovascular Disease among the Greek Elderly

“…This is supported by the findings of Kendal and Buys (1998) which indicate that adjustment will also vary from one individual to the next as it is dependent on coping sources available to them. Sollner et al (1999), considering melanoma patients' coping behaviors and social support, showed a link between positive social support and adjustment to illness. In relation to elderly individuals, coping in the context of 'successful aging' has often been linked to the avoidance of disease and disability (Rowe and Kahn, 1987), although cognitive factors and a high level of social engagement are often included (Young, Frick and Phelan, 2009).…”

Malignant Melanoma S3‐Guideline “Diagnosis, Therapy and Follow‐up of Melanoma”

“…The few available comparative studies have revealed that mixed groups with primarily early-stage melanoma patients on average perform better as to quality of life than those with other malignancies. Stress requiring treatment has been ascertained in 10-45 % of melanoma patients [654][655][656][657][658][659]. With advanced disease, impairment of physical and role functions [660] as well as financial and professional problems emerged.…”

How successful are oncologists in identifying patient distress, perceived social support, and need for psychosocial counselling?

“…Both services are well integrated in the system of care delivery to oncology patients, the psychotherapist and the social worker being regularly present at the department for some hours during the week. Previous studies (Worden and Weisman, 1980;Söllner et al, 1999) showed that patients' interest in psychosocial support is influenced by what coping strategies they employ in dealing with cancer (e.g. denial).…”