Psychological characteristics of early-stage melanoma patients: a cross-sectional study on 204 patients

Abstract

The presence of psychological distress has a negative impact not only on cancer patients' quality of life but also on the course of the disease, with slower recovery and increased morbidity. These issues are of particular importance in melanoma patients (MP), who remain at risk of disease progression for many years after diagnosis. This study aimed to investigate psychological distress, coping strategies, and their possible relationships with demographic-clinical features in patients with early-stage melanoma in follow-up. The investigation focused in particular on whether the psychological profile differed between patients at different melanoma stages. Data of 118 patients with melanoma in the Tis-Ia stages (MP_Tis-Ia) and 86 patients with melanoma in the Ib-IIa-IIb stages (MP_Ib-II) were gathered through a self-administered survey and compared using a cross-sectional design. The results evidenced a high percentage of anxiety (25%) and distress symptoms (44%), whereas depressive symptoms seemed less frequent (8%). Psychological distress was higher in women than in men, and in patients with a higher educational level. Nevertheless, no significant differences were found between MP_Tis-Ia and MP_Ib-II. With respect to coping style, the patients in this sample adopted predominantly positive and active strategies. Correlational analyses showed that maladaptive coping strategies such as behavioral disengagement, denial, self-distraction, and self-blame were most strongly related to increased levels of psychological distress. The high presence of anxiety and distress symptoms, their relationship, and the use of negative coping strategies underline the importance of psychological distress screening also in early-stage MP, including at long-term follow-up.

Depression, anxiety and quality of life in patients with melanoma

“…(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29). The data obtained in our study are in accordance with the data obtained in other surveys that support the declining functioning of melanoma as well as the global quality of life as the symptomology grows (30)(31)(32).…”

Path analysis of the effects of social support, self-efficacy, and coping style on psychological stress in children with malignant tumor during treatment

“…[ 13 ] Some studies have shown that positive coping style is the protective factor of psychological stress, [ 14 , 15 ] and negative coping is related to psychological stress such as anxiety and depression. [ 16 ] Besides, self-efficacy played a partial intermediary role between social support and positive coping style. [ 17 ]…”

Quality of life measurement in skin cancer patients: literature review and position paper of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Task Forces on Quality of Life and Patient Oriented Outcomes, Melanoma and Non‐Melanoma Skin Cancer

“…There were publications on comorbidities in SC patients, HRQoL after treatment and many studies dedicated to different aspects of QoL in different populations of SC patients including studies on behaviour modification, predictors of QoL, predictors of survival, supportive care needs, coping strategies and fear of cancer recurrence…”