Exploring Coping Strategies and Quality of Life in Adolescents with Cancer: Pilot Study Findings

TL;DR

Adolescents with cancer use avoidance coping strategies and report moderate quality of life, suggesting a need for interventions promoting active coping.

Contribution

This pilot study explores coping strategies and quality of life in adolescents with cancer, highlighting reliance on avoidance methods.

Findings

Adolescents reported a moderate-to-good quality of life (mean PedsQL score ≈ 70).

Emotion-focused and avoidance-based coping strategies were most frequently used.

Avoidant coping showed a negative association with quality of life.

Abstract

What are the main findings?

Adolescents with cancer reported a moderate-to-good perceived quality of life (mean PedsQL score ≈ 70).

Emotion-focused and avoidance-based coping strategies (acceptance, distraction, social withdrawal) were the most frequently used.

What is the implication of the main finding?

Findings provide preliminary evidence that adolescents demonstrate adaptive capacity but rely heavily on avoidance strategies.

Psychosocial interventions may need to promote active, problem-focused coping to enhance resilience and well-being.

Objective: The objective of this exploratory pilot study was to examine the relationship between coping strategies and perceived quality of life in adolescents diagnosed with oncological diseases, with attention to the potential role of psychosocial factors in emotional adaptation. Method: The study included 20 adolescents (12 boys, 8 girls), aged 12–18 years, enrolled in the hospital school program in Bucharest, Romania, while receiving active oncological treatment. Participants completed two validated instruments: the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL—Cancer Module) and the KidCOPE questionnaire. Results: The mean quality of life score was 70, indicating a moderately good level of quality of life. Emotion-focused and avoidance-based strategies (distraction, social withdrawal, and acceptance) were most frequently reported, while problem-focused coping was less common. Regression analysis showed that coping dimensions explained approximately 26% of the variance in quality of life (R2 = 0.26, F(3,16) = 1.83, p = 0.183). Although the overall model was not statistically significant, an observed negative association was found between avoidant coping and quality of life (p = 0.037). These results should be interpreted with caution given the small sample size and cross-sectional design. Discussion: The findings suggest that adolescents with cancer may maintain a functional level of adaptation despite medical and emotional challenges, supported by medical staff and social resources. The predominance of avoidant strategies highlights the need for further investigation of their long-term implications. Conclusions: These preliminary results generate hypotheses and underline the importance of future research on psychological and educational interventions aimed at fostering more active coping strategies and supporting resilience in adolescents with cancer.

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