The relationship between supportive needs, coping strategies, and quality of life in patients with ovarian cancer undergoing therapy

Abstract Background It is well known that receiving a gynecologic cancer diagnosis and undergoing initial treatment can cause significant emotional distress. Enhancing cancer patients’ quality of life (QoL) throughout treatment increases their adherence to cancer care regimens. Designing psychosocial interventions that can affect anxiety, depression, and quality of life can be influenced by knowledge of the relationship between coping and stress associated with cancer. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the association between supportive care needs, psychological health, coping skills, and the quality of life of ovarian cancer patients. Methods Fifty patients with an ovarian cancer diagnosis at Mansoura University’s oncology center (OCMU) participated in a case–control study with an analytical component. Fifty healthy females of the same age as the cases comprised the control group. Assessment tools included the “Arabic version” of the DASS-8, the “Arabic version” of the QoL SF36, the “Arabic version” of the brief-Cope, and the “SCNS-SF34” supportive care needs survey. Results The control group had a statistically significantly higher mean brief coping score than the case group, indicating better coping (higher scores indicate better coping); higher mean emotion-focused coping, avoidant coping, and total scores ( p = 0.001 each). The mean score for the need for supportive care was higher among cases than among controls. The mean score among cases was 69.26 ± 15.23, compared with 47.24 ± 13.96 in the control group. There were statistically significantly higher mean depression and anxiety scores among cases than the control group (12.44 ± 4.05 and 8.16 ± 2.76, respectively, p < 0.001). There was a statistically significantly higher mean quality of life score as regards each of the studied 8 domains among the control group than the case group, including physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, role limitations due to emotional problems, energy/fatigue, emotional well-being, social functioning, pain, and general health. Conclusion Our research demonstrated the importance of considering personal supportive care needs and coping strategies when assessing quality of life in patients with ovarian cancer. It may be helpful to outline these needs to identify patients who require specific counseling and support.