Use of the mini-MAC scale in the evaluation of mental adjustment to cancer

Abstract

Aim of the studyThe objective of the study was to evaluate mental adjustment to cancer in patients diagnosed with an oncologic disease through identification of the coping strategies they had adopted.Material and methodsSeventy-four patients of the Clinic of Oncology and Haematology at the Central Clinical Hospital (CSK) of the Ministry of Interior (MSW) in Warsaw were included in the study. The degree of adaptation to cancer was evaluated with the use of the mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer (mini-MAC) scale. The individual subscales, i.e. fighting spirit, positive redefinition, helplessness-hopelessness, and anxious preoccupation, were collated with socio-demographic characteristics.ResultsStudy findings indicate that: 1) tumour patients typically manifest behaviour that allows one to identify their adjustment to cancer; 2) in malignant tumour patients constructive behaviour prevails over destructive behaviour; 3) the helplessness-hopelessness response is more pronounced in men than women; 4) metastatic patients manifest stronger helplessness-hopelessness response than patients with locally limited tumours; 5) pensioners more often than people of working age adopt the helplessness-hopelessness strategy; and 6) patients with the shortest disease period manifest the strongest fighting spirit.ConclusionsCancer patients employ various strategies of coping with disease depending on socio-demographic factors.

Association between demographic features and perceived social support in the mental adjustment to breast cancer

“…Consistent with previous research results, the current study shows that mental adjustment factors including FS or H/H are significantly association with demographic factors such as age, education, marital status, income, and social support variables. 3,4 We observed that younger (<46 years) patients perceived cancer as a challenge and showed significantly increased FS compared with the older (> 46 years) group. Similar findings were noted in a previous study.…”

“…The study examined the association between sociodemographic and perceived social support variables in the mental adjustment of patients with breast cancer. Consistent with previous research results, the current study shows that mental adjustment factors including FS or H/H are significantly association with demographic factors such as age, education, marital status, income, and social support variables . We observed that younger (<46 years) patients perceived cancer as a challenge and showed significantly increased FS compared with the older (> 46 years) group.…”

“…The heterogeneity of cancer biology, the process of carcinogenesis, and the varied response of individuals to treatment are mandatory factors to be considered in the management of cancer. One study states that cancer patients use various coping strategies to manage the disease depending on their sociodemographic features …”

“…One study states that cancer patients use various coping strategies to manage the disease depending on their sociodemographic features. 4 The adaptation and adjustment to cancer are defined as the cognitive and behavioral response of an individual to the diagnosis of cancer. Mental adjustment to having cancer primarily constitutes two components: the patient's cognitive appraisal and subsequent behavioral responses to cancer diagnosis.…”

Correlates of the acceptance of illness in a group of cancer patients

“…Akceptacja choroby, a także bezpośrednio z nią związanego bólu, cierpienia i dyskomfortu, jest istotną zmienną wykorzystywaną do oceny stopnia przystosowania się pacjenta do sytuacji choroby [3,14,15]. Oznacza uznanie istnienia raka i dostosowanie się do aktualnej sytuacji zdrowotnej, przyjęcie choroby z jej wpływem na różnorodne aspekty funkcjonowania jednostki powiązane nie tylko z kondycją fizyczną, lecz także psychiczną, społeczną, a nawet duchową [16,17].…”